"That will be good for me" - Stamp returning to her Muay Thai roots in title defense vs old pal Denice Zamboanga
Reigning and undisputed ONE women's atomweight MMA world champion Stamp Fairtex of Thailand is ready to showcase her next-level striking when she makes the first defense of her ONE Championship gold in June.
Needless to say, the 26-year-old Bangkok native will be looking to score another epic, highlight-reel knockout.
Speaking to the South China Morning Post in a recent interview, Stamp talked about tapping into her Muay Thai roots, which she believes will open up the door for another electric performance.
The Fairtex Training Center product stated:
"For sure, I'd use a lot of Muay Thai in this fight. In my opinion, I think she [Denice Zamboanga], will want to take me down. So I'd use my Muay Thai [to counter]. If I can get the knockout, that will be good for me."
Stamp Fairtex is set to make the first defense of her atomweight MMA gold against former training partner and now No.2-ranked atomweight MMA fighter 'The Menace' Denice Zamboanga of the Philippines.
The two elite fighters will lock horns in the main event of ONE 167: Stamp vs. Zamboanga on Prime Video, which broadcasts live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Stamp Fairtex warns Denice Zamboanga: "I don't think she realizes how hard I strike"
They may be close friends in real life, but when they are standing across from each other in the ring, all bets are off.
Stamp and Zamboanga have trained extensively together in the past when the latter was still based in Pattaya, Thailand where Fairtex is located. But Stamp says they never really sparred at full capacity, so Zamboanga may not be aware of her power.
She told The MMA Superfan in a recent interview:
"Of course, when we train, we have to hold back the power. So I don't really think she realizes how hard I strike."
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action of ONE 167: Stamp vs. Zamboanga live and absolutely free on U.S. primetime on June 7th, via an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.