ONE Championship: Supergirl thanks Chatri for belated US$50,000 bonus after ‘mistake’

After admitting in hindsight he should have given Supergirl Jaroonsak a US$50,000 performance bonus last week, ONE Championship boss Chatri Sityodtong made good on his “mistake”.

Taking the mic in the ring during ONE’s debut Friday Fights card at Lumpinee Stadium, the chairman and CEO of the martial arts promotion duly awarded the 19-year-old a bonus for her part in January 14’s barnburner with Stamp Fairtex in Bangkok.

“I just want to say sorry for Impact Arena,” he said. “I should have given a US$50,000 bonus, so I’m gonna make it right to Supergirl, for her performance.”

Supergirl was emotional sitting at ringside in the arena, and later thanked Chatri on social media for his gesture.

“Thank you Mr Chatri for giving me the opportunity to fight at ONE Championship,” she wrote in an Instagram post.

“It changed my life, and congratulations for making a good show at ONE Lumpinee. I will keep working hard and to make good performances for everyone.”

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Supergirl lost a razor-close split decision to Stamp Fairtex in a strawweight kickboxing bout at ONE Fight Night 6, with both agreeing the fight on less than 24 hours.

The 25-year-old Thai Stamp had originally been set for an atomweight mixed rules bout with Anissa Meksen, only for the feared French-Algerian striker to no-show the weigh-ins.

Supergirl also had a late change of opponent, with Ekaterina Vandaryeva missing weight for their strawweight Muay Thai rematch.

“You deserve it for your incredible performance, Anna!” Chatri wrote in a reply to her post. “It was my mistake for not giving it to you right after your fight on January 14 at Impact Arena! Thank you for calling ONE your home!”

Chatri’s change of heart came after outcry on social media that he had awarded Stamp a bonus immediately after the fight, but not Supergirl for her part in an instant classic.

Stamp was of course at a massive weight and height disadvantage, giving away nearly 10 pounds and half a foot, but as a former ONE Muay Thai and kickboxing champion, she was still a fearsome match-up for Supergirl to tackle.

Chatri admitted to the Post in an interview on Tuesday that he had got it wrong.

“Yeah, actually in hindsight, I should have given them both a bonus. I agree with that,” Chatri said. “I agree with the sentiment out there that Supergirl probably should have got a bonus.”