Kickboxing and Muay Thai icon Buakaw Banchamek admires the success of Stamp Fairtex. The Thai-born Stamp has collected world titles across three sports, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and MMA. This is an extremely impressive feat, as Buakaw points out.
At just the age of 20, in 2018, Stamp earned her first world title when she defeated Kai Ting Chuang for the ONE kickboxing atomweight throne. Just a few months later, she defeated Janet Todd for the ONE atomweight Muay Thai world championship.
The striking star transitioned to MMA, learned grappling, and went through a gauntlet of challenges to grab MMA gold. Stamp was able to defeat MMA veteran Ham Seo-hee by TKO in 2023 to add her third sport world title; the ONE atomweight crown. This feat, earning world titles in three sports, impressed the legendary Buakaw.
In a video breaking down the MMA title match on his channel, Buakaw said:
“Stamp has won many belts, even the ONE kickboxing and Muay Thai [world titles]. Whether it’s MMA, Muay Thai, or kickboxing, she’s a master in all three. If you asked me [what makes Stamp great], it’s a matter of adaptability due to the different regulations. But she’s definitely got it.”
Capturing three-sport gold, Buakaw is highly impressed. He continued:
“Even I couldn’t do that [attempt being a world champion in MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing]. So, I got to give it up to her. Congratulations to her. I wish she keeps up the good work.”
In terms of talent and skill, Buakaw added:
“Stamp is one of the best strikers I have my eyes on and one that I actually admire. She’s super tough. Her fighting style is on point. She’s at the top-ranked among Thai female strikers.”
Buakaw was able to capture world titles in kickboxing during the golden age in the early 2000s. His runs through the K-1 MAX Grand Prix are still considered legendary. He has grown to become an icon in Thailand. Buakaw is still active today taking various matches in BKFC and RWS Muay Thai.
Stamp Fairtex will put her MMA crown on the line against a former teammate Denice Zamboanga at ONE 167 at Bangkok’s Impact Arena on Jun. 8. Additionally, at the same event, Tawanchai PK Saenchai plans to defend his featherweight Muay Thai world championship against “Smokin'” Jo Nattawut in the co-main event.