ONE X: Stamp Fairtex admits ‘I have to gain more experience’ after Angela Lee loss, while Rodtang ‘will not give up on MMA’
- After losing to her ‘idol’ Lee in Singapore, Stamp vows to ‘come back a better version’ of herself
- ONE Championship flyweight Muay Thai champ Rodtang ‘feels so sad’ after tapping out to Demetrious Johnson
Stamp Fairtex and Rodtang Jitmuangnon, two of the biggest combat sports stars out of Thailand, are disappointed but undeterred after their tough losses at ONE X.
ONE X, which commemorated Asian martial arts promotion ONE Championship’s 10th anniversary, went down inside the packed Singapore Stadium on Saturday night and Stamp and Rodtang both received top billing.
Stamp, who previously held ONE’s atomweight kick-boxing and Muay Thai titles, challenged atomweight champion Angela Lee in the card’s headlining attraction.
The 24-year-old had her moments in the fight, most notably harpooning the long-reigning champion with a vicious body shot in the first frame, but was ultimately forced to tap out to a rear-naked choke in the second round.
It was not the result she was after, but she seemed to be in good spirits after the fight nonetheless, with plenty of optimism about her future in MMA.
ONE X: Demetrious Johnson, Rodtang live up to bizarre billing
“I would like to say sorry to all of my fans, my team and my boss,” Stamp wrote on Instagram on Sunday morning. “I did my best last night but I can’t take the world title back to my home country.
“I learned a lot from this fight and accept that I have to gain more experience and MMA skill. After I come back to the camp, I will train harder and will come back a better version.”
“And congratulations Angela Lee,” she added, giving the champion respect. “You are my idol.”
The 24-year-old Rodtang, ONE’s flyweight Muay Thai king, met decorated MMA legend Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in the penultimate bout on the ONE X bill.
The pair’s clash was contested under customised rules, alternating between three-minute Muay Thai and MMA rounds, starting with the former.
Rodtang pelted Johnson with a vicious bombardment of strikes through the opening three minutes, but failed to put the former UFC champion away.
The Thai, a total novice when it comes to wrestling and jiu jitsu, was then promptly taken down and choked unconscious in round two – just as many expected he would be if he failed to finish Johnson early.
Rodtang is understandably upset about the loss, but like his countrywoman Stamp, seems to be taking the setback on the chin.
“Thank you for all of the support that you guys gave me for this fight,” the Muay Thai champion wrote on Instagram. “It means so much to me.”
“I hope I will fight again and I will not give up on MMA. I feel so sad for this fight but I will practice and come back to fight even stronger.”
The future is murky for both Stamp and Rodtang, but both have options.
Despite her loss to Lee, Stamp (8-2) has proven herself as one of ONE’s top atomweights, with wins over Ritu Phogat and Alyona Rassohyna.
ONE X: Angela Lee says Ham Seo-hee is next on her hit list
She has plenty of options in MMA, and could also return to Muay Thai and kick-boxing competition if she would prefer to take a break from grappling.
Rodtang, a veteran of more than 300 fights, still holds ONE’s flyweight Muay Thai title, and will most likely defend that coveted bauble in his next appearance.
His assertion that he will not give up on MMA, however, is certainly interesting.
