Stamp Fairtex will make her first official defense of the ONE Women's Atomweight MMA World Championship against a familiar foe this summer.
ONE Championship recently announced that the Thai superstar will face former teammate Dennis Zamboanga in the main event of ONE 167 on Friday, June 7th at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Fairtex and Dennis Zamboanga set foot on the path to ONE glory
advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The two previously trained together at the famous Fairtex Training Center before Zamboanga left to operate in other camps. The two women had been competing and excelling in the same division for some time, so it seemed like their paths were destined to cross at some point. Now it appears that is the case.
Zamboanga started her ONE Championship with three straight wins, including a win over former world title challenger Mei Yamaguchi, and quickly entered the world title fray.
Instant notification of the hottest information Story via Google! Click “Follow” blue star
Please follow us
However, then-title holder Angela Lee announced her pregnancy soon after, forcing her to take a break from competing and preventing the Filipino star from competing for gold.
Zamboanga will instead compete in the ONE Women's Atomweight MMA World Grand Prix in hopes of claiming a shot at the coveted division title. Unfortunately, she controversially lost to veteran Ham So Hee in the first round of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Stamp won the Grand Prix and failed to challenge Lee for the world title at ONE X in March 2022. Since then, Stamp and Zamboanga have enjoyed stellar performances in the atomweight MMA division.
Janet Todd and Pejija take center stage as ONE Women's Atomweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing gold medals are on the line at ONE Fight Night 20
There are high expectations for the main event and co-main event of ONE 167.
Stamp earned a chance to win the interim belt against Hamm at ONE Fight Night 14 last September. However, in a surprise twist, their match was upgraded to contest for the undisputed world title after Lee announced his retirement earlier in the night.
The Thai superstar won that match, taking home the gold medal and becoming the first athlete in ONE Championship history to win world titles in three disciplines.
advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Zamboanga, on the other hand, is on a dominant two-game winning streak and remains the No. 2 contender in the division. There is perhaps no better warrior than her to be the first to challenge Stump's reign.
advertisement
Article continues below this ad
In the co-main event of ONE 167, Tawanchai PK Saengchai will take on “Smokin” Joe Nattawut for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title in a rematch of their epic kickboxing bout at ONE Fight Night 15 last October. defend.
Mr. Buakaw Banchamek explains why Stamp Fairtex is a “master”. High praise for 3 competition champions