Stamp Fairtex won’t be able to defend her atomweight title in June as well as missing out on a champion vs. champion bout set for ONE Championship’s return to the U.S. in September. The 26-year-old Thai athlete sustained a significant knee injury during a sparring session, leading to the need for surgery. Consequently, she won’t be competing against Denice Zamboanga in June or facing ONE strawweight champion Xiong Jingnan in September.
The news was shared by ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong, who revealed that Stamp tore 80 percent of her meniscus during the sparring session, necessitating successful surgery. Although it’s unclear when Stamp will make a comeback, it’s confirmed that she won’t be able to participate in the June and September fights due to her knee injury.
Stamp’s absence presents a challenge for ONE as she has swiftly emerged as one of the promotion’s key figures since transitioning from kickboxing and Muay Thai to MMA, where she became a two-division champion and headlined events. Nonetheless, ONE is actively seeking a replacement for her upcoming match in Denver.
Sityodtong stressed the significance of Stamp’s recovery and expressed confidence in the strong lineup for the forthcoming event in Denver, anticipating a sold-out crowd despite limited marketing efforts. He remains positive about Stamp’s return and the potential opportunities for her in the U.S. market.
