On May 5, American fans will be properly introduced to Thai superstar Stamp Fairtex.
The #1-ranked atomweight MMA contender is set to clash with well-rounded American Alyse Anderson in an intriguing contest at ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III on Prime Video – the organization’s long-awaited debut on U.S. soil.
Given Stamp’s storied history as a former ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion, viewers are expecting to see her elite stand-up skills in action.
After all, with more than 60 career wins in the striking arts, the three-sport star is undoubtedly the most feared striker in ONE’s atomweight MMA division.
The 25-year-old is well aware of that reputation – and she plans to back up the hype at 1stBank Center in Colorado:
“Of course, I’m good at the stand-up part of the game. Every opponent has tried to put me on the ground. They always tried to take me down. My strength is my stand-up game. This is what I will bring to the fight.”
Stamp does admit that she may be the lesser grappler in this matchup.
Indeed, Anderson comes into this bout following a sensational first-round submission victory over Asha Roka and owns a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
But while she might have a disadvantage on the ground, the Fairtex fighter says she’ll more than make up for it on the feet, where she plans to overwhelm the American:
“I am more skilled than [Anderson] in terms of Muay Thai and kickboxing. And in the ground game, maybe I am inferior, but I think I will have the advantage and will come out on top in our striking exchanges.”
In what’s quickly shaping into a classic striker-versus-grappler matchup, Anderson has stated that her opponent is a one-dimensional fighter – a talented striker but nothing more.
For her part, Stamp strongly disagrees with that assessment.
Although she is most comfortable trading blows on the feet, the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Grand Prix Champion is no stranger to groundwork, owning a pair of submission victories inside the Circle, including a 2021 finish of wrestling standout Ritu Phogat.
Responding to Anderson’s comments, the Thai said:
“She’s correct. Let her believe it that way. Because if I beat her during the ground fight – similar to how I beat Ritu with an armbar – it will surprise everyone.”
Stamp Training With Former Foe Jihin Radzuan
As she goes through fight camp for this pivotal MMA showdown with Alyse Anderson, #1-ranked Stamp Fairtex is focused on tightening up her takedown defense and overall grappling ability.
She told ONEFC.com:
“For my preparations, I have to defend [Anderson’s] takedowns and show my Muay Thai skills when I create the opportunity to strike.”
With that in mind, the Thai has enlisted the help of a former opponent turned friend – fellow ONE athlete Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan.
The two squared off last September in a catchweight contest that Stamp won by decision.
But after experiencing Jihin’s formidable grappling firsthand, she’s been happy to learn from her ahead of ONE Fight Night 10:
“It’s great to have Jihin helping because Jihin’s ground game is quite good. Training with her, she’s always nice, smiling, and helping me on technical aspects.”