Stamp Fairtex Says Her Striking Can Take Out ‘Knockout Queen’

Stamp Fairtex’s quest to become a three-sport World Champion begins again next Friday, 16 August.

At ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD, the ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion will return to mixed martial arts to face the undefeated Asha “Knockout Queen” Roka.

The pressure is on for Stamp, who will take on an opponent with more experience in the sport in front of an expectant home crowd at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

“I’m happy to compete at home, there will be a lot of people there to provide motivation and cheer me on,” she says.

“I definitely feel there is an advantage fighting in Thailand, but that there is also extra pressure too. I don’t want to lose in Thailand!”

Stamp has competed in martial arts since she was 5, and has since racked up an impressive 63-15-5 record in Muay Thai and kickboxing.

Two years ago, Stamp left her family’s gym in rural Thailand to embark on a new journey with Fairtex Training Center in Pattaya, which is where she was first introduced to mixed martial arts.

Her first bout in her new sport came last July, and she won by knockout in just 19 seconds, but she returned to the striking arts to win double gold in ONE Super Series disciplines.

Following her first World Title defense in June, the Thai star was offered the opportunity to jump back into action and resume her quest for glory, and she did not hesitate to accept the challenge.

“I’m not 100-percent comfortable in mixed martial arts yet, but when an opportunity like this comes along, you just have to take it,” she says.

“I’ve been practicing mixed martial arts for two years now, and I feel like it is time to test my skills on a bigger stage. I really like the diversity of the sport, and the new challenge it presents for me.”

Her opponent boasts a 4-0 record in mixed martial arts, and she was also a three-time Indian national amateur boxing champion with a a 7-0 slate as a professional.

As her nickname suggests, the 20-year-old has heavy hands – she won her debut by KO after nine seconds and her most recent inside two minutes – but she also has a pair of finishes by submission. In fact, Roka has built her perfect record in a combined four minutes and 11 seconds.

That gives Stamp a lot to think about, but she confident that she has a strategy that will take her to victory.

“I think my opponent’s striking isn’t as advanced as the opponents I am used to facing,” she explains.

“However, her boxing will be her biggest threat. I plan to counter her punches with my elbows. When you fight a boxer, you want to use the leg kicks to avoid punches, and counter with elbows.

“I am more comfortable standing, so I want to keep the fight in my comfort zone, but will be ready to take the fight to the ground if need be.

“I just want to win this fight. I haven’t really thought too much about showing my skills as a mixed martial arts fighter yet.”

Stamp knows she needs to put in a lot more work to catch up with the leading competitors in her division. Although her stand-up game is far more advanced than most of them, she is likely to be outmatched when it comes to grappling right now.

However, as she continues to improve her skills, gains more experience in the Circle in The Home Of Martial Arts, and if she begins her campaign with a win at ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD, the 21-year-old hopes it will not be too long before she can test herself against the best.

“My goal is to also become a mixed martial arts World Champion with ONE Championship,” she says.

“There are a lot of really talented women in my division, and it is going to take a while to get to the top. Hopefully, in about three or four fights, I’ll be ready for a World Title challenge.”