Stamp Fairtex has "no problem" fighting friend Denice Zamboanga but says rankings are important

Former two-sport ONE world champion Stamp Fairtex considers Filipino fighter Denice Zamboanga a friend. But nevertheless, she has no problem mixing it up with her inside the circle.

However, if that is to happen, Stamp underscored that atomweight rival Zamboanga has to follow the process and go through the rankings.

Third-ranked Zamboanga called out Stamp following her victory over Lin Heqin at ONE on Prime Video 5 in December, looking to get her own title shot by way of the number one contender in their division.

In an interview with SCMP MMA, Stamp Fairtex said she is open to it, but admitted her foremost goal is to get another shot at atomweight world champion Angela Lee, who beat her in their world title fight back in March.

She also told Zamboanga to first get through number two contender Ham Seo Hee. The Korean veteran, incidentally, has already defeated the Filipino twice.

Stamp said:

“I think that it’s very important to go by the rankings, in order, because right now, my only target is Angela Lee. If she [Zamboanga] just goes by the rankings and eventually gets a fight with me, I have no problem at all.”

Despite her stand, Stamp Fairtex was quick to say that Zamboanga is still a friend.

“Yes, yes, we’re still friends.”

Catch the full interview below:

Stamp is currently preparing for her MMA and Muay Thai mixed-rules showdown with Anissa Meksen at ONE Fight Night 6 on January 13 in Bangkok, Thailand. The event is live and free for North American fans with an active Prime Video subscription.

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Stamp Fairtex looking to fight in Muay Thai again in ONE Championship

Thai star Stamp Fairtex is still determined to win another world title in a third sport in mixed martial arts. However, she is also looking forward to competing in Muay Thai again in ONE Championship.

Stamp, who once held ONE atomweight division titles in kickboxing and Muay Thai at the same time, has spent the last couple of years fighting in MMA.

However, she said that her fondness for competing under striking-only rulesets is still very much alive.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Stamp said:

“Later, I think I’ll find a way back to fight in Muay Thai for fans who miss me. I hope that [ONE Chairman and CEO] Chatri [Sityodtong] will allow me to come back to Muay Thai sometime next year [2023].”

Fortunately for former two-sport world champion Stamp Fairtex, her wish was immediately granted as she is billed to see action in an MMA and Muay Thai mixed-rules showdown in ONE Championship’s first live offering for 2023.

Stamp will take on Anissa Meksen in the special-rules bout at ONE Fight Night 6 on January 13 in Bangkok.