Stamp Fairtex’s 2019: A Year Of History, Challenges, And Love

It has been a tremendous 2019 for Stamp Fairtex, who made history, dominated across multiple martial arts disciplines, and even stumbled upon love.

The year started off with a bang, as the 22-year-old defeated American sensation Janet “JT” Todd to claim the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title in February. By doing so, she also became the first two-sport ONE World Champion in the promotion’s history.

Following a successful defense against Australian dynamo Alma Juniku in June, Stamp turned her attention to mixed martial arts and began her quest towards three-sport glory.

The Fairtex representative passed her first challenge with flying colors, as she submitted Indian striker Asha “Knockout Queen” Roka via rear-naked choke in the third round of their August clash, and then she battered Vietnamese-American star Bi “Killer Bee” Nguyen en route to a unanimous decision in November.

By all accounts, Stamp had the most successful year of any female athlete in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and she intends to build on her success in 2020.

However, before she rings in a new year, the Thai reflects on her incredible 2019. She also lists her future goals and speaks about her new beau.

ONE Championship: It was an incredible year in your career, and it started off with you winning the ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title. How did that make you feel?

Stamp Fairtex: It was the first time for me to fight for a Muay Thai World Title. For me, it was like the first step in reaching a new level in my career. I now feel I have achieved success, but this is only just the beginning — the first steps.

ONE: You defeated both Janet Todd and Alma Juniku in very competitive bouts. What do you think about the possibility of facing them in rematches?

SF: I’m not worried about it. My team and I, we know their game. We’ll just have to formulate a game plan once more, and continue to focus on developing myself as a fighter and becoming more diligent.

ONE: This year, you also competed in mixed martial arts. Despite your country’s rich history in Muay Thai, there aren’t many Thais competing in this sport. What are your thoughts about that, overall?

SF: I’m very proud of myself to succeed in another martial arts discipline that I have never tried before.

We are creating another name for Thai people in a new form of martial arts. Now, foreigners can see that we are good in all areas. Although there are just a few of us doing mixed martial arts, we are all 100 percent dedicated.

ONE: Also, in your personal life, you started dating ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon. Could you tell us a little bit about your relationship with him?

SF: Rodtang and I have been dating for about eight months now. I feel like everything is good with him. He gets along with my parents and my gym, and he understands training.

He fits into all areas of my life, and he is involved and a part of it, too. He is someone who respects adults and looks to them for advice.

ONE: What is like being in a relationship with another ONE Super Series World Champion? Is it helpful, or a hindrance at times?

SF: When it comes to my training, there aren’t any problems.

In Thailand, people think if you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend, it is going to affect your training and that you won’t be as focused. But for me, having a boyfriend has made me even more dedicated because I want my trainers and managers to see that I am as diligent as ever.

We are together, and there are no problems. Rodtang is also a Thai boxer, so we know when each of us has to practice, and we understand how hard and tiring it can be.

We also encourage each other, and he is there to help teach new techniques. If you are in a relationship with someone, you must be committed to making it good.

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ONE: As a three-sport athlete, who do you want to face next in mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and Muay Thai?

SF: This is up to ONE Championship to decide. I am not brave enough to challenge anyone myself. However, if someone challenges me, I can try that out.

ONE: When do you think you will be ready to challenge for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Title?

SF: I think I need another four to five fights before I am ready to challenge for the title.

I need time to gain more experience and become more confident in the techniques used — especially the ground game — so that when I do challenge for the title, I won’t be as worried.

ONE: Currently, which martial arts discipline do you want to compete in more?

SF: I really want to focus on mixed martial arts because it’s the thing that I yearn for the most right now.

If we’re talking about kickboxing or Muay Thai, now that I am a champion, I don’t crave as much as before when I wasn’t yet a champion. However, if someone comes to vie for my titles, it will be a difficult challenge for me. I don’t underestimate that.

ONE: What will be your goals as a martial artist in 2020, and how will next year be different from this past one?

SF: My first goal, of course, is to protect and defend my two World Titles. I also want to gain more experience in mixed martial arts.

I think the big difference going into 2020 is that I am more determined and yearning for success. Plus, I feel I am constantly improving and getting stronger as a martial artist.

Read more: Giorgio Petrosyan Reflects On Huge 2019 And Shares Big 2020 Plans