One Championship: Stamp Fairtex sees Angela Lee and maybe even Zhang Weili on the horizon
- Atomweight Muay Thai champ flattered by One boss Chatri suggesting she would be a match for UFC’s Zhang
- Stamp says it would be an honour to fight her ‘idol’ Lee in MMA as she targets title belt in a third combat sport
Stamp Fairtex is still hurting from the shock loss of her One Championship atomweight kick-boxing title in February, but the Muay Thai queen also believes the disappointment might just be the making of her as an international star.
The 22-year-old lost a split-decision to American Janet Todd in Singapore on February 28 that must have been as close as you can get. Stamp told the Post she had poured over replays of the fight and vowed to come back a smarter – and faster – fighter.
“I’ve watched it many times,” Stamp said. “I was really sad. I had put two months’ work into winning and didn’t do it. The main thing I learned was about Janet’s footwork and about how good she moves. I was slow to start and only really got into the fight in the last two rounds.
“I need to be quicker on my feet and attack from the start. This is not an excuse – it is a lesson for me. Next time I will be more prepared and I will bring the belt back home. I have committed myself to get three world title belts – MMA, Muay Thai and kick-boxing. I’ll go for it.”
They will be welcome words for a One organisation that has placed Stamp at the forefront of its push into the future of combat sports across Asia. The Thai star still holds One’s atomweight Muay Thai belt and is fighting her way into contention in the atomweight division in mixed martial arts, currently lorded over by Angela “Unstoppable” Lee (10-2).