Stamp Fairtex Relinquishes ONE Atomweight MMA Title Due to Injury Setback

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Stamp Fairtex, the trailblazing three-sport world champion, has relinquished her ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title following a setback in her recovery from a knee injury.

The announcement, made by ONE Championship on May 2, 2025, also included the postponement of the promotion’s planned return to Denver, Colorado, originally scheduled for August 1, 2025, now rescheduled to June 26, 2026. As a result, interim champion Denice Zamboanga has been elevated to undisputed champion, marking a new chapter in the atomweight division.

Stamp Fairtex, a 27-year-old Thai megastar, has been a big part of ONE Championship’s rise in global martial arts. Known for her electrifying performances and infectious charisma, Stamp made history as the first athlete to claim world titles in three disciplines under the ONE banner: Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA. Her crowning achievement came at ONE Fight Night 14 on September 30, 2023, when she secured the atomweight MMA title with a third-round TKO over Ham Seo Hee, following Angela Lee’s retirement and title vacancy.

However, Stamp’s reign as MMA champion has been marred by injury. In May 2024, she suffered a severe knee injury—a torn meniscus—during a sparring session, forcing her to withdraw from a scheduled title defense against Denice Zamboanga at ONE 167 in June and a high-profile strawweight title clash with Xiong Jingnan at ONE 168 in September. The injury, described by ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong as an “80 percent tear of her meniscus,” required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process.

Despite initial optimism about a 2025 return, Stamp encountered complications in her recovery, prompting her decision to vacate the title. ONE Championship’s press release quoted Sityodtong expressing sadness over the situation while wishing Stamp a swift recovery: “We are saddened to hear of the injury setback to Stamp and wish her nothing but the best in her road to recovery.”

Stamp’s relinquishment of the title has immediate ramifications for ONE Championship’s atomweight MMA division. Denice Zamboanga, a former training partner of Stamp’s at Fairtex Gym in Pattaya, Thailand, steps into the spotlight as the new undisputed champion. Zamboanga, who earned the interim title in Stamp’s absence, was set to challenge for the undisputed belt at ONE 173 in Denver. Her elevation to champion status was celebrated by fans, particularly in the Philippines, with posts on X reflecting national pride in her achievement.

The postponement of ONE 173, originally a marquee event for the promotion’s U.S. return, shows Stamp’s star power. As one of ONE’s fastest-rising draws, her absence from the card—coupled with the loss of a high-stakes title fight—prompted the organization to push the event to 2026. This move highlights the challenges of building major cards around injured stars, even in a promotion as deep as ONE Championship.

Stamp Fairtex’s career is a testament to perseverance and versatility. Born Nadthawan Panthong in Rayong, Thailand, she began training in Muay Thai at age five to fend off bullies. By 18, she moved to Pattaya to join the renowned Fairtex Gym, where she honed her skills in Muay Thai, kickboxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Her ONE Championship debut in October 2018 saw her capture the atomweight kickboxing title, followed by the Muay Thai title in February 2019, making her the promotion’s first two-sport champion.

Her transition to MMA showcased her adaptability. After losing her kickboxing and Muay Thai titles to Janet Todd and Allycia Hellen Rodrigues in 2020, Stamp focused on mixed martial arts, winning the 2021 ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Grand Prix and eventually the world title in 2023. Her 11-2 MMA record includes highlight-reel finishes, such as a body-kick KO of Alyse Anderson and the title-winning TKO against Ham Seo Hee.

The news of Stamp’s title relinquishment sparked a wave of reactions, with fans expressing both disappointment and support. Posts highlighted her influence, with one user noting, “Stamp is a super athlete. You never know,” referencing her potential for a swift recovery. Others celebrated Zamboanga’s rise while wishing Stamp well.

Photo credit Stamp Fairtex Official Facebook.