Stamp Fairtex viewed 2024 from the sidelines due to injury due to a torn meniscus. Being unable to defend the ONE Atomweight MMA World Championship was a frustrating experience. However, she was able to still find ways to grow while out of action.
“This year, I spent a lot of time with myself and learned new things. It was a bad year, but not too bad because there were new things and new people to learn from. I could say it was a year of learning,” Stamp mentioned to ONE.
2024 would have given Stamp two key opportunities if not for the injury. She was scheduled to defend the atomweight gold against Denice Zamboanga and was slated to compete for the ONE Women’s Strawweight MMA World Title against Xiong Jing Nan.
As a consummate performer, Stamp was disappointed she could not give the fans those memorable moments.
“I am very disappointed to have missed both opportunities. No one wants something like this to happen because I want everyone to remember who Stamp is and why I’m so hungry for a championship,” Stamp admitted.
On the road to recovery, Stamp is finally beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.
As the calendar begins to turn over to a new year, the Thai phenom expects to be able to ease back into training.
“Now, I can take small steps and start jogging. I had surgery on May 20, and it’s been almost seven months since then. I think by January 2025, I will be able to run short distances and start practicing kicks again,” the Thai superstar said.
As the first-ever three-sport World Champion, Stamp continues to chase history across kickboxing, MMA, and Muay Thai. While her return is still off in the distance, the atomweight great is planning her course of action.
While defending her gold is paramount, Stamp hopes first to shake the ring rust in kickboxing.
“Right now, I want to get back into fighting. I want to step back into the ring, focus on training, and continue my recovery. I want to have a kickboxing fight before defending my belt, and I want to successfully defend my belt. I want to show everyone that Stamp is back,” Stamp stated.
The 27-year-old is not going to rush back. Stamp will take her time so that she is back in full force when she does her next Stamp Down down the aisle.
The ONE Atomweight MMA World Champion hopes to make her triumphant return in late spring or early summer and is putting everyone, across all sports, on notice.
“I expect to compete in May or June. By then, everything should be in place. It may be a bit delayed, but coming back at 100 percent will definitely make my performance much better than competing while still in pain. I want to fight every three months,” the atomweight queen offered.
“I’m interested in all the rule sets right now. I feel very eager to be back in the ring and I am excited about the challenge of returning to the sports where I was once a champion.”