Sunisa Srisen Aiming To Upset ‘Idol’ Stamp Fairtex
Sunisa “Thunderstorm” Srisen knows 31 July could be her big break.
That night in Bangkok, Thailand, the undefeated teenager will make her promotional debut at ONE: NO SURRENDER – and have the opportunity to face the reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion, Stamp Fairtex, in a mixed martial arts contest.
“It’s like a dream come true for me to get the chance to compete in ONE Championship,” the 19-year-old Srisen says.
“I’ve always dreamed of fighting on the global stage. I’ve watched many athletes compete in ONE for years, but now it’s my turn. The idea of it drives me to train harder every day.”
There’s no doubt that Srisen has earned this opportunity to compete on the global stage.
In 2016, the Chonburi, Thailand-based athlete made her mixed martial arts debut in the country’s Full Metal Dojo organization against ONE veteran Audreylaura “Ice Comet” Boniface. Ultimately, she earned a second-round TKO victory.
She followed that up with two more dominant showings – submitting Wilasinee “Infinity” Komhom via rear-naked choke in February 2017 and finishing Phunsasorn “Koy” Thanuthong via TKO that November.
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To keep her perfect record intact, “Thunderstorm” recently went to the nation’s capital to train at Mister Kok Gym. There, she’s been refining her techniques with the hope of upsetting one of her sports heroes.
“I’ve been in Bangkok now preparing for this fight, and I can say I am physically and mentally ready, 100 percent,” she states.
“I’m so excited to compete against Stamp Fairtex. She’s one of my idols in this sport. I think she’s the total package. She has the looks, the charisma, and the skills. To face her in the ring is a great opportunity and experience for me.”
Of course, beating Stamp will be easier said than done.
The superstar is continuing her pursuit of three-sport glory – and so far, her transition back to mixed martial arts has gone swimmingly.
Following a spectacular 19-second knockout in her debut at ONE Warrior Series 2 in July 2018, the Fairtex product took a break to capture both the ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Title and the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title.
She then resumed her mixed martial arts career, remaining flawless.
The 22-year-old submitted Indian boxer Asha “Knockout Queen” Roka in August 2019, battered Vietnamese-American dynamo Bi “Killer Bee” Nguyen en route to a unanimous decision victory three months later, and then finished multiple-time Indian Wushu Champion Puja “The Cyclone” Tomar via TKO this past January.
While Srisen does not possess Stamp’s vast experience and will be giving up a 2-centimeter height advantage in Bangkok, she insists that she’s not intimidated.
“Everyone’s saying I can’t beat her, and I understand,” the Mister Kok Gym representative offers.
“But am I scared of her? Whoever I’m in that ring to fight, I’m going to fight with my full capability. Every experience will just help me improve. I’m going to try my best – win or lose. I’m not worried about the result.
“This is definitely not an easy fight for me. I’ve studied Stamp’s style very well, both her striking and ground game. Stamp is very strong and great in Muay Thai, especially with her combinations. She’s also taller than I am. I’m not planning to play to her strengths. I have my own strengths. I want to test her wrestling.”
If “Thunderstorm” indeed plays to her strengths and seizes her opportunity, she might just hand the Fairtex product her first loss in the sport – and make the immediate impact she has dreamed about.
Read more: The Best Knockouts From The Stars Of ONE: NO SURRENDER
