Thailand’s Stamp Fairtex was once again on top of the world after ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST at the Baoshan Arena in Shanghai, China last June 15th.
The 21-year-old two-sport world champion successfully defended her ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title against 18-year-old newcomer Alma Juniku of Australia in the exciting five-round main event.
The relatively unheralded Juniku, a two-time Muay Thai World Champion, challenged Stamp like no one else in ONE has, but the champion was able to prevail with a unanimous decision win.
Stamp is already a world champion in Muay Thai and Kickboxing, but she has mentioned going after a title in mixed martial arts as well. This win over Juniku could be an excellent jump off for her into the next step of her combat sports journey. There is no official word on if Stamp will make the jump to mixed martial arts this year, but the seed has been planted.
Stamp’s introduction to ONE Championship was through mixed martial arts in fact, via Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series back in 2018, winning in impressive fashion.
If Stamp could become the first-ever three-sport champion, she’ll be an even bigger needle mover than she is now.
Stamp was undoubtedly one of the evening’s biggest winners in Shanghai, but she wasn’t alone. Here are five others who had memorable KOs, submissions or who simply emerged in a much better position after their victories.
Agilan Thani
In the co-main event, Indonesian welterweight contender Agilan “The Alligator” Thani did three important things: he snapped his own two-bout losing streak, he kept himself in the welterweight title picture, and he defeated a legend.
Thani earned a unanimous decision win against Japanese-Korean icon Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama in a grueling three-round affair that pushed both competitors to their limit. Thani’s timely takedowns and more effective grappling were enough to push him past Akiyama in the eyes of the three judges.
After losing by stoppage to Zebaztian Kadestam and Kiamrian Abbasov in previous outings, Thani desperately needed this win, and he ground out the victory. Aside from the setbacks in the ONE circle, Thani also had to overcome some personal issues and injuries to get back into the win column.
It turned out to be an overall triumphant day for Thani in Shanghai.
Phoe Thaw
Myanmar’s second star Phoe “Bushido” Thaw is on a steady rise, and he continued his penchant for finishing opponents at ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST, disposing of Indonesian opponent Victorio Senduk in the second round.
Phoe Thaw may not be ready for a shot at the ONE Featherweight World Championship just yet, but another similarly impressive win pushes him in the right direction.
Maybe a step up in competition is on the horizon for Phoe Thaw, maybe someone along the lines of Garry Tonon.
With an 8-1 record and seven wins via knockout, Phoe Thaw is easily one of the most must-see performers in the promotion.
Reinier De Ridder
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=420722038768127
One of the brightest prospects in ONE Championship has to be the Netherlands’ Reinier De Ridder.
In Shanghai, De Ridder ran his professional record to a perfect 11-0, and 2-0 with ONE. His latest win was a TKO victory over Gilberto Galvao, which could be De Ridder’s best win to date.
The 28-year-old Dutch athlete proved to be too strong and relentless for the Brazilian veteran, as De Ridder forced a tap due to strikes.
De Ridder is positioning himself as a legitimate title contender for Aung La N Sang‘s ONE Middleweight World Championship. Still, he likely needs a win or two before he gets that opportunity.
It might make sense for him to face someone like former champion Vitaly Bigdash in his next bout.
Aung La will be defending the light heavyweight title later this year, so the chances of him facing De Ridder or anyone else for the middleweight crown seems unlikely. If both men are victorious, an Aung La vs. De Ridder clash could be one of the biggest matches of 2020.
Zhang Chenglong
https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/841651922860467/
Explosive finishes will always sell, and that’s what China’s own Zhang Chenglong produced against Tyler Hardcastle, in his home country at ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST.
Zhang’s pressure had Hardcastle in trouble early, and a lead right hand put his opponent down.
Zhang’s power hasn’t always been on display, but he showed he can thrill a crowd, and that kind of finish could put him on the radar for a ONE Super Series title opportunity down the road.
Han Zi Hao
https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/600708293670770/
While he’s already had a shot at a world title with ONE Championship, Han remains a legitimate threat to capture gold with the promotion.
In highlight-reel fashion, Han smashed his way past the veteran and rangy Brit Andrew Miller in Shanghai. Miller is known for his toughness, but he wilted under Han’s pressure in the second round of the action-packed Muay Thai contest.
Han showed excellent power in both hands as he dealt Miller damage as he backed himself into the corner. Han needs more wins before he can hope to challenge for another title, but like many others on the card, he has put himself back on the right track.
