Stamp Fairtex is one of the most recognizable faces out of ONE Championship. Owing to her youthful exuberance and legacy as a champion, Stamp has garnered fans’ attention and appraisal worldwide. Thus, the news regarding her upcoming fight at ONE 167 has left many disappointed.
For those unaware, ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion Stamp Fairtex was all set to take on #2-ranked contender and close friend Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga at ONE 167. In what was a much-hyped-up affair by CEO Chatri Sityodtong, the Thai megastar would have thrown down with a surging contender, a fight that the fans had been aching to see.
Stamp has undergone surgery for a torn meniscus and is out of her Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title defense against Denice Zamboanga at ONE 167 on Prime Video. We wish Stamp the best in her recovery and will provide an update on her status for the rest of the year in the near… pic.twitter.com/I6TCbNmUW1
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) May 21, 2024
However, according to the latest reports, Stamp Fairtex has suffered an injury and is now out of her headliner at ONE 167. That said, her opponent, Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga is said to still be on the card, with a new opponent soon to be decided. Moreover, the severity of the injury means that Stamp’s move up to strawweight to face “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan, previously set for ONE 168 in Denver is also off.
Stamp Fairtex reveals the injury that ruled her out of ONE 167
Naturally, the news of Stamp Fairtex’s injury will be a big blow for ONE Championship and their plans. Seeing that the Thai megastar will miss not one but two big events will feel like a big miss and likely result in lesser traction. With her being incredibly popular within the APAC region, her fight in Denver would have opened the door to an entirely new audience.
Unfortunately, the promotion will have to prepare for the immediate future without one of its biggest stars. Currently the Atomweight MMA World and World Grand Prix Champion, Stamp Fairtex has also been a former Atomweight kickboxing and two-time Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion. Following the news of her injury, the fighter put out a statement with regards to the same:
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“My sparring partner was behind me, and she was going to take me down. She grabbed my body and lifted me up, but since she is smaller than me, when she lifted me up, she couldn’t lift me that high, and my leg was still touching the ground.
“Then, she twisted. When she twisted, my leg was still touching the ground, so my knee got twisted. When it twisted, it made a loud noise. So, I stopped immediately and went for an MRI after that. [And the doctor said] my meniscus was torn.”
All things considered, Stamp Fairtex is understandably disheartened, having suffered such a serious injury at a crucial time. That said, she has urged the fans to carry on watching and support the whole host of unbelievable talent that will be on show for ONE 167.
Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II is the new main event for ONE 167
Owing to the news of Stamp Fairtex’s injury, the promotion has since bumped up the co-main event between
Tawanchai PK Saenchai and Jo Nattawut as the main event of ONE 167. Essentially a rematch of their first encounter at ONE Fight Night 15 in October last year, the stakes will be much higher this time around with the fight being for Tawanchai’s Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship.
That said, the event also features the return of the Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon as he faces Denis Puric in a kickboxing contest. In addition to this, we will see grappling sensation and Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mikey Musumeci take on the last man to submit him, Gabriel Sousa, in a Bantamweight Submission Grappling contest.
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Down the pecking order, we also have BJJ-sensation Kade Ruotolo making his much-anticipated MMA debut against Blake Cooper. Currently undefeated under the ONE promotional banner, the Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion is undertaking a huge task with the move. Lastly, we will witness Angela Lee’s younger brother and 18-year-old sensation Adrian Lee make his promotional debut in a lightweight MMA contest as well.