Former ONE world champion in three sports Stamp Fairtex has revealed her reason for choosing kickboxing over mixed martial arts for her highly anticipated comeback against four-time K-1 champion Kana Morimoto on AN 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 27-year-old Thai superstar will make her first appearance in more than two years following knee surgery that forced her to relinquish the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA world title in May. Stamp explained that it was important to test herself in a three-round atomweight kickboxing fight before returning to MMA competition.
Stamp Fairtex sees Morimoto as the perfect comeback challenge
The former atomweight kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA champion explained her rationale for accepting this particular matchup, highlighting Morimoto’s elite status in Japanese kickboxing. Stamp Fairtex believes that engaging with competition at the highest level offers the best path forward, regardless of the outcome.
“The reason I accepted the fight with Kana is because I feel like she is the best at kickboxing in Tokyo, in Japan. I like it as a challenge. Whether I win or lose, there is no harm in fighting her. I think fighting someone great is always a good thing,” Stamp Fairtex offered.
The 33-year-old Morimoto brings a career record of 23-6 and four K-1 titles into this ONE Championship bout. The Japanese striker earned her first promotional victory against Moa Carlsson in January 2025, establishing herself as a legitimate threat in the atomweight kickboxing division.
Kickboxing provides a strategic warm-up for Stamp Fairtex’s MMA return
The Fairtex Training Center representative provided a detailed explanation as to why she chose kickboxing over an immediate return to MMA competition, citing the need to gradually rebuild her physical fitness and mental acuity after an extensive rehabilitation period. Stamp’s methodical approach demonstrates the strategic thinking that originally paved her way to gold.
“I decided to take up kickboxing before MMA because I wanted to warm up my body first. I’ve been away for two years and the muscle I lost after the surgery is all gone. I have to see how it goes. I want to check my mental state, my physical condition and if my endurance is still there. I want to see how this fight goes and then move on to MMA,” Stamp said.
The Thai champion’s 14 wins in the ONE Championship include her most recent win, a third-round TKO over Ham Seo Hee in September 2023, which earned her the vacant atomweight MMA crown. The four-match winning streak was interrupted by a knee injury that required surgical intervention and extensive recovery time.
Thai Megastar Stamp Fairtex determined to prove its elite status is here to stay
Despite the lengthy layoff and the physical challenges that come with returning from major surgery, Stamp is determined to prove that she is still an elite competitor fully capable of beating world-class opposition. The former three-sport queen refuses to serve as a springboard for anyone’s career progression.
“What I want to show in this fight is that I’m still here. I’m not just a stepping stone for you to cross over. If you want to get past me, it’s going to be hard. I’ll try to show what I’ve got, I’ll do my best, and I’ll show everyone what Stamp Fairtex is about,” she said.
This clash will take place on ONE 173 and will take place on Sunday, November 16 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
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