Stamp Fairtex predicts conclusion of ONE flyweight muay Thai world grand prix
The two-sport champ predicts Rodtang vs. Savvas, Superlek vs. Walter, and who wins it all.
Former two-sport ONE world champion Stamp Fairtex has kept a close eye on the ongoing ONE flyweight muay Thai world grand prix, and the Thai superstar believes she has a rough idea of how the remainder of the competition is going to play out.
The prestigious tournament kicked off at “ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot” this past May, and the atomweight was impressed with all the quarterfinal matchups on the card.
“I believe all eight fighters did their best,” the 24-year-old said. “Everyone was ready for a single-ticket scramble. They were all physically and mentally ready. That night, everyone put on amazing performances.”
When the semifinals go down later this year, reigning ONE flyweight muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon will face Savvas Michael, while top-ranked flyweight muay Thai contender Superlek Kiatmoo9 will square off against No. 5-ranked Walter Goncalves.
As a former ONE atomweight muay Thai and kickboxing world champion, Stamp has analyzed these stylistic matchups and identified a few key advantages for her Thai countrymen.
“For Rodtang and Savvas, I think Rodtang will win because he attacks better,” she said. “The only way for Savvas to defeat Rodtang is to go toe-to-toe with him with a strong heart and be conscious of not falling into Rodtang’s game.
“In the Superlek vs. Walter matchup, Walter’s style is very similar to Rodtang’s. In his last match against Rodtang, he lost unanimously. I think if he gets into Superlek’s shin zone, Superlek will have a chance to win, but if Walter can dominate his range, Walter probably wins. But I still prefer Superlek.”
Who is Stamp picking to win it all?
Undoubtedly, all eyes will be on Rodtang and Superlek when the ONE flyweight muay Thai world grand prix resumes. And if they are victorious in the next round, that will set up a massive final between two of Thailand’s finest warriors.
Stamp is certainly excited at the prospect of seeing her compatriots throw down in the ONE circle.
“I think Rodtang and Superlek will face each other in the final,” the former two-sport queen said. “It will be a very exciting match. This has been a highly anticipated match for a long time. If they meet in ONE, it would be fun to watch.”
Of course, Stamp will continue to watch the grand prix closely from the sidelines regardless of the outcomes in the semifinal round.
However, she is favoring one of her countrymen to win the whole thing.
“If I had to choose who would become the grand prix champion, I would pick Rodtang because his style is more entertaining to fans and judges,” Stamp said. “But everything is uncertain.
“My hat is off to Rodtang because Rodtang is a true brawler, and he’s even more dangerous when wearing small gloves. His fists are more precise and sharper than everyone else’s.”
This story first published at ONEFC.com.