Stamp Fairtex is back in the win column, but she is far from satisfied. The Thai striker returned to Muay Thai for the first time since 2020 at The Inner Circle 20, edging Mexico's Cynthia Flores via split decision in an atomweight Muay Thai bout.
The victory was secured, but the performance left the Thai megastar with plenty to reflect on.
Stamp, 28, carried the weight of a six-year Muay Thai absence into the contest, and despite the result going her way, the Fairtex Training Center product was candid about how the night unfolded. For a fighter of her stature and standards, a split decision was never going to feel like a triumph.
"I'm not happy with this fight at all. Seriously, I'm completely disappointed. Nobody's happy with how it went, and neither am I," she said.
The rust was visible in moments throughout the contest, particularly in the kicking department where Stamp has built much of her reputation. The weapons were there in theory, but the execution did not come when she needed it most.
"I actually looked for the head kick several times, but my legs just wouldn't get up there that day. It just didn't happen. It felt like I couldn't pull the trigger on my kicks," she explained.
Flores, 31, who trains out of Phuket Fight Club, pushed Stamp hard across the contest, ensuring the returning Thai legend earned every point of the split decision.
The one and only fighter in ONE Championship history to hold World Titles in Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA arrived at The Inner Circle 20 with long-term ambitions driving her. Those ambitions remain intact, but the self-assessment after her return has led to a recalibration of the timeline.
"I probably need another one or two fights. I'm down for MMA, but maybe let's hold off on the title shot for now. But honestly, I wouldn't mind doing Muay Thai again for my next fight. I can do Muay Thai or MMA," she added.
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