Helena Crevar open to grappling super fights with top MMA stars

Undefeated teenage grappling star Helena Crevar has thrown the door open to crossover matches against some of MMA's biggest names.

The 19-year-old, who tops the pound-for-pound rankings after going perfect in 2026 with all wins by submission, faces Paige Clymer at a weight class above her usual division when ONE Championship hits Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok on Friday. Crevar told MMA Fighting she remains hungry for fresh challenges and views a bout against any prominent MMA fighter as a compelling test. "Any of the MMA fighters that are very popular would be great matches," she said.

Dern, Harrison, Rousey all potential opponents

Among the names floated as realistic opponents are UFC strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern, a multiple-time grappling world champion before her transition to cage fighting, and two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison, who now holds the UFC bantamweight title. Retired Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey, herself an Olympic bronze medalist in judo, could also draw interest. Crevar stopped short of calling anyone out specifically but made clear she would entertain any offer. "Any of those would be super fun," she said, per the report. "Any of the current or any of the best female MMA fighters would be cool."

Trained by John Danaher and Gordon Ryan, Crevar became the first woman to earn a black belt under the renowned instructor. She claimed the No. 1 spot last August and says the pressure of defending that ranking drives her forward. After Friday's ONE bout, her schedule includes a run at the ADCC world title and at least one more ONE Championship appearance before the year ends. "Being at the top at such a young age, it's really motivating," she said.

Crevar returns to action at The Inner Circle on Friday night in Thailand.

Photo: Canal Faixa Preta / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — 19-year-old grappling phenom Helena Crevar welcomes super fights against the best of the best from MMA | MMA Fighting