“I wanted to start throwing up” - Stamp Fairtex admits being extra nervous for comeback fight at ONE 173

Unprecedented three-sport ONE world champion Stamp Fairtex made her grand comeback at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri earlier this month, after spending more than two years recovering from a torn meniscus.

Although the 28-year-old looked healthy and strong in her return, Stamp will be the first to admit it was like starting over from scratch. Everything was back - the pre-fight jitters, the uncertainty and doubt, and even the nervousness, which almost caused her to throw up backstage.

In a post-fight interview with Bangkok Post’s Nick Atkin, Stamp spoke about the pressure and magnitude of stepping back into the Circle for the first time since 2023.

The former kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA titleholder said:

“Yeah. It’s been a while, you know. Two years from all this environment. The fight week and everything. And it actually got me very nervous, especially before I stepped in the [Circle]. I wanted to start throwing up, but it was exciting. It reminded me of that old feeling again.”

Stamp added:

“I will be back soon, better than today.”

Stamp returned in an atomweight kickboxing banger with former K-1 champion Kana ‘Krusher Queen’ Morimoto, where she lost via unanimous decision.

ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri is available to North American fans via video-on-demand live.onefc.com.

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Stamp says knee was fine, but she was out of shape

The biggest question surrounding Stamp Fairtex’s return to action was always going to be how her surgically repaired knee would hold up in a high-intensity fight. Those questions were somewhat answered.

But if you’re feeling doubtful, Stamp will reassure you that everything is fine.

She told Nick Atkin:

“I’m not surprised by [Kana], she brought the same whole style that I’ve seen. But my body is just kinda not good. That’s it. My knee wasn’t hurt. Don’t worry about that.”

Stamp points to her lackluster performance as a result of being underprepared for a big fight. That being said, she’s happy she was able to make her comeback, and she also promises that she will be better in the next fight.

Stamp said:

“It was good [that I was able to come back] for my birthday. Because if I didn’t come back today, it means like I would have waited a long time more. I’d get more tired and wait more. So it’s [a] good comeback for me now because next time it’s going to be better.”