ONE boss believes Cynthia Flores edged controversial June bout and wants Thai superstar back at her best before resuming MMA title hunt
Stamp Fairtex awaits the judges’ decision after her atomweight Muay Thai bout against Cynthia Flores at The Inner Circle 20
Stamp Fairtex will face Selina Flores next month at ONE Fight Night 47 in Bangkok – after Chatri Sityodtong urged the Thai superstar to continue rebuilding her confidence through striking before returning to MMA.
The former three-sport champion is aiming to rediscover her familiar timing and produce a convincing performance at her best against Flores before turning her attention back to the atomweight MMA belt.
Stamp acknowledged the short turnaround in a brief Facebook post.
“This fight has come around really quickly – one month to train,” she wrote in Thai. “All right, let’s do this.”
During a Facebook Live on the ONE Championship Thailand page, Chatri gave a blunt assessment of Stamp’s previous outing against Cynthia Flores.
Stamp Fairtex has her hand raised following her split-decision victory over Cynthia Flores at Lumpinee Stadium
“For me, Flores beat Stamp – only by a little,” the ONE chairman and CEO said.
“Why? Because Stamp did nothing but move backwards. She didn’t really throw any weapons.”
Chatri stressed that he was offering a personal opinion rather than accusing the officials of making an incorrect decision.
“I’m not a judge and I’m not disrespecting the judges,” he said. “The judges are the best and we have to trust their experience.”
Chatri had previously described the contest – scored a split decision for Stamp – as “50-50” and said he would not have objected had either woman been awarded the victory.
His latest comments nevertheless underline how far he believes Stamp remains from the fighter who once held ONE’s atomweight MMA, Muay Thai and kickboxing titles.
“Every fighter who gets injured and does not compete for a long time cannot immediately return in the same form,” Chatri said. “It takes time.
“She had no power. She became tired in the first round and only moved backwards. That wasn’t the old Stamp.”
Stamp Fairtex (right) lands a body kick on Cynthia Flores during their atomweight Muay Thai fight
The 28-year-old spent around a year and a half out of competition after suffering a serious knee injury and undergoing surgery.
She returned against Kana Morimoto in kickboxing last November, losing by unanimous decision in Tokyo but proving that her repaired knee could withstand nine minutes of competition.
The Cynthia Flores bout was expected to represent another step forward.
Instead, the Mexican pressed Stamp back for long stretches, but the Thai star did enough to persuade two of the three judges.
“I’m sorry if this fight was not good, and this was disappointing for some,” Stamp said afterwards. “I’m disappointed myself. It wasn’t good enough for me.
“I have to admit, I felt really sluggish in this fight.”
The Selina Flores booking now gives Stamp another opportunity to rebuild in her original discipline.
She will face the American contender in an atomweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Fight Night 47 on September 5 at Lumpinee Stadium.
Selina Flores is a multiple-time WBC Muay Thai world champion and won her ONE debut against Marie McManamon last September.
She will carry a five-fight winning run into the contest, with ONE suggesting victory over Stamp could put her in contention to challenge atomweight Muay Thai champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues.
That longer-term objective has also been brought closer by a reshaped atomweight title picture.
Stamp Fairtex returns to her corner between rounds during her comeback fight against Cynthia Flores
The top of the division reopened when Denice Zamboanga relinquished the belt after the birth of her first child, creating a possible route for Stamp to reclaim the championship she vacated because of injury.
Chatri, however, believes another striking test must come first.
“I think she has to fight once more in Muay Thai or kickboxing and get back to the form she had before surgery,” he said.
“Striking is Stamp’s strength. If she has no confidence on her feet, how can she come back? We have to let her get back to form.”