Shir Cohen is set to headline ONE Friday Fights 143 on February 20, 2026, facing Vero Nika in a Muay Thai bout at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. This fight marks a significant step for Cohen, who holds an 11-1 professional record and is seeking a world title opportunity. Injuries have previously halted her championship aspirations, but she aims to deliver a commanding performance to prove her readiness for a title shot and potentially make history as Israel’s first ONE World Champion.
Background and Journey
Shir Cohen's path to the main event of ONE Friday Fights 143 is marked by a personal transformation and a strong drive for a championship. Her record stands at 11 wins and 1 loss. She has been training at Fairtex, a facility that she describes as becoming "family." This training environment, alongside other ONE Championship fighters, has reportedly elevated her skills.
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Cohen’s journey includes overcoming past bullying experiences from her youth.
She first entered the martial arts world at age 15 and had her first official fight in March.
Her notable victories include a second-round TKO against Teodora Kirilova.
Cohen’s motivations extend beyond personal achievement, also aiming to represent her people.
Vero Nika, her opponent, has been involved in martial arts for a considerable time. Despite Vera’s resilience, reports indicate she has struggled to capitalize on her physical size advantages in past contests.
The Path to a Title Shot
Cohen views her upcoming bout at ONE Friday Fights 143 as a critical juncture in her career. Having had her world title opportunities twice impacted by injuries, this fight presents a chance to reignite her pursuit of a championship.
A dominant victory against Nika is expected to strengthen her claim for a title shot.
Cohen’s ambition is to become Israel's first-ever ONE World Champion.
After an absence of over a year, Cohen expresses a heightened determination to prove her capabilities.
Fight Details and Statistics
The Muay Thai bout between Shir Cohen and Vero Nika is scheduled as the main event of ONE Friday Fights 143.
Event: ONE Friday Fights 143
Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
Time: 06:30 AM ET
Venue: Lumpinee Stadium
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Weight Class: Atomweight (115 lbs / 52.2 kg)
Ruleset: Muay Thai
Bout Billing: Main Event (Fight 14 of 14)
Professional Status: Professional
Information from sources like Sofascore and Tapology may offer additional details such as fighter biographies, pre-match rankings, detailed fight statistics, and community predictions. However, Tapology explicitly states that its data may contain errors and omissions and does not guarantee its accuracy.
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Cohen's Previous Performance
In a past contest reported by The Jerusalem Post, Shir Cohen secured a victory via unanimous decision. During this fight, despite facing a resilient opponent, Cohen maintained control.
Cohen demonstrated dominance with a series of powerful strikes, including jabs, hooks, uppercuts, and overhand blows.
She has also achieved a TKO victory against Teodora Kirilova.
Her current record, as per one report, is a perfect 2-0 in recent appearances, signifying a strong winning streak as she aims to climb the ranks.
Motivation and Representation
Shir Cohen's drive appears to be fueled by a dual motivation: personal ambition and national pride. She has spoken about the significant impetus that drives her and many others from her homeland.
Her journey has taken her from Tiberias, Israel, to the professional Muay Thai scene in Thailand.
Training and living in Thailand, Cohen is focused on maintaining her winning momentum.
Her aspiration is to continue progressing through the rankings towards a championship title.
Expert Analysis
While specific expert commentary on the upcoming Cohen vs. Nika bout is not detailed in the provided data, the context suggests that a convincing win for Cohen would solidify her position as a contender. Her journey from overcoming adversity to headlining a major event highlights her resilience and potential. Analysts might focus on her technical proficiency, strategic approach, and ability to perform under pressure, especially given her history of overcoming setbacks.
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Conclusion
ONE Friday Fights 143 positions Shir Cohen for a pivotal moment in her mixed martial arts career. With an 11-1 record and a clear ambition for a world championship, her main event bout against Vero Nika represents a crucial opportunity. Cohen's narrative includes overcoming past personal challenges and now aims to make history as Israel's first ONE World Champion. The outcome of this fight is expected to significantly influence her future trajectory within the organization.
Sources:
beinsports.com: Article "‘I Came Here To Become A Champion’ – Vero Sees Shir Cohen As Final Step Toward Gold At ONE Friday Fights 143" (Summary: Shir Cohen headlines ONE Friday Fights 143, seeking a world title shot with an 11-1 record. Her training and transformation are highlighted, and she faces Vero in the main event. She was bullied as a teen.)
withlovefromcorinthia.com: Article "‘I DESERVE TO BE HERE’ – SHIR COHEN AIMS TO REIGNITE WORLD TITLE BID AGAINST VERO AT ONE FRIDAY FATES 143" (Summary: Shir Cohen seeks to revive her world title bid at ONE Friday Fights 143 after injuries derailed previous opportunities. She aims for a statement win to secure her place and potentially become Israel's first ONE World Champion. She feels she deserves this chance after over a year away.)
jpost.com: Article "Shir Cohen triumphs at ONE Championship in unanimous decision" (Published: Aug 28, 2024. Summary: Shir Cohen won via unanimous decision, showing dominance with powerful combinations. She expressed deep motivation for herself and her people.)
Link: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-816783
tapology.com: Fight information for "Vero Nika vs. Shir Cohen, ONE Friday Fights 143 | Muay Thai Bout" (Summary: Details the bout as the main event of ONE Friday Fights 143, a professional Muay Thai fight at Lumpinee Stadium on Feb 20, 2026. Notes that Tapology data may contain errors.)
israfan.com: Article "Shir Cohen, Israeli Muay Thai Champion, Emerges Victorious at ONE Championship" (Published: Aug 29, 2024. Summary: Shir Cohen, an Israeli Muay Thai Champion, achieved a victory at ONE Championship, bringing her record to 2-0. She represents Israel globally and aims for a championship title.)
Link: https://israfan.com/p/israeli-muay-thai-fighter-shir-cohen-triumphs
sofascore.com: Fight listing for "Shir Cohen - Francisca Vera" (Summary: Lists the fight as part of ONE Fighting Championship's main card in the Atomweight division. Mentions available fighter details, rankings, statistics, and odds.)
Link: https://www.sofascore.com/shir-cohen-francisca-vera/KTNdsgXke
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