‘I’m Proud Of Myself’ – Stamp Fairtex Reflects On 2025 Comeback
Stamp Fairtex spent 2025 working toward a pivotal moment in her illustrious career.
The calendar year didn’t deliver World Title fights or viral knockouts for ONE Championship’s first-ever three-sport queen. However, what it produced was something just as meaningful and incredibly compelling – the opening chapter of her comeback story.
Before she faced former K-1 Champion Kana “Krusher Queen” Morimoto in an atomweight kickboxing clash at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena last November, the Thai megastar was on a long road to recovery.
Stamp originally captured the vacant ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title by knocking out decorated Asian MMA Champion Ham Seo Hee at ONE Fight Night 14 in September 2023.
The Thai even had her first defense scheduled against her friend and ex-training partner, Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga, for ONE 167 in June 2024.
But a month before showtime, she suffered a torn meniscus in camp that forced her to the sidelines.
That path to recovery stretched far longer than anyone had anticipated, as it was filled with physical therapy sessions, rehabilitation work, and moments of doubt that tested her resolve.
And just when Stamp finally seemed good enough to step back into the ring and face Zamboanga in a ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title unification match in May 2025, fate intervened yet again.
She reflected:
“I thought my knee had recovered, but in reality, it wasn’t 100 percent yet. There were moments of frustration, but never enough to make me give up. I felt like I hadn’t taken good enough care of my body, so I went back to focusing 100 percent on physical therapy.”
Another setback would have broken most fighters. For the 28-year-old, it became an opportunity to demonstrate the character that defines true World Champions.
Rather than cling to the gold, the Fairtex Training Center product vacated the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship, elevating Zamboanga – who beat Alyona Rassohyna to claim the interim crown at ONE 170 in January 2025 – to undisputed status.
Stamp said:
“I was happy for Denice because I know how hard she works, though I did feel a bit of regret giving it up so easily, considering I put in blood, sweat, and tears to earn it.
“However, I wanted the division to move forward. I vacated the title because I felt it was only fair to give others a chance to compete. However, I believe that if it’s meant to be mine, it will find its way back to me.”
That selfless act spoke volumes about Stamp’s character. The World Title she’d fought so hard to claim was gone, but the opportunity to prove she still belonged remained.
After 778 days away from competition, the Thai superstar stepped back into the spotlight on enemy soil at the massive ONE 173 card against Kana. Though she suffered a unanimous decision loss, she walked away from Tokyo viewing the performance as exactly what she needed.
Stamp said:
“Even though I didn’t win, I’m not disappointed. It was just a warm-up fight, and I’m satisfied with my physical condition to a certain extent.
“Most importantly, my knee didn’t hurt. Overall, I did a good job for a comeback. I’m proud of myself for getting back into the ring. Even though it was scary and filled with anxiety, I overcame it.”
Stamp Fairtex Sums Up 2025, Eyes Future Zamboanga Clash
For an athlete who spent two years wondering if she’d ever compete again, simply making it through nine minutes against Kana Morimoto in Japan without her knee acting up represented a huge win.
The fear that had lived in Stamp Fairtex’s mind during every training session – the anxiety that one wrong movement could send her back to square one – had been conquered.
She continued:
“I felt very nervous and excited. I think I was a bit rusty because I hadn’t fought in such a long time. My mind knew what strikes to throw, but my body wouldn’t follow … probably due to fatigue as well.”
When asked to reflect on 2025 as a whole, the historic three-sport queen didn’t solely focus on her return, the setbacks she overcame, or the defeat inside the Japanese capital.
Instead, she celebrated accomplishing goals that extended beyond martial arts.
Stamp offered:
“Overall, it was a great year. I’m back in the ring where I belong and have achieved all the goals I set for myself – returning to competition, taking my family on an overseas trip, and planning for this year.”
But make no mistake, the Thai megastar’s competitive fire burns brighter than ever.
Stamp is determined to prove that she belongs at the top of the division, and she is still very interested in facing Zamboanga at some point.
The Fairtex Training Center product said:
“Of course, I still want to fight. Denice is another opponent who would be a very challenging and exciting match for me.”
