Stamp Fairtex forced to withdraw from June fight on U.S. card due to serious knee injury

Stamp Fairtex, the reigning atomweight champion in ONE Championship, has been dealt a devastating blow as she won’t be able to defend her title in June or participate in a champion vs. champion fight scheduled for September. The 26-year-old Thai athlete suffered a serious knee injury during a sparring session, requiring surgery that has put her out of action for the foreseeable future.

ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong confirmed the news, stating that Stamp tore 80 percent of her meniscus in a training accident. The injury occurred just weeks before her scheduled fights against Denice Zamboanga and Xiong Jingnan, forcing her to withdraw from both matchups.

While there is no set timeline for Stamp’s return, Sityodtong remains optimistic about her recovery, hinting that she could potentially make a comeback sooner than expected. However, it is certain that she won’t be able to compete in June or September due to the severity of the knee injury.

Stamp’s absence is a significant setback for ONE Championship, as she has quickly become one of the promotion’s most popular and successful fighters since transitioning from kickboxing to MMA. Her growing fan base and impressive performances have earned her the opportunity to become a two-division champion and headline events in the United States.

Despite the setback, ONE Championship remains confident in the success of their upcoming event in Denver, with Sityodtong expressing excitement about the stacked card and the overwhelming ticket sales even before any official marketing efforts have begun. While Stamp’s absence is disappointing, the promotion is focused on her recovery and the continued growth of their brand in the U.S.