Former ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion and the #5-ranked atomweight mixed martial artist Stamp Fairtex, and her opponent, grappling specialist Alyona Rassohyna have both vowed to end each other inside the distance when they lock horns in the Circle.
Stamp and Rassohyna are set to meet in the main event of ONE: UNBREAKABLE III, a previously recorded event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore scheduled for global broadcast this Friday, 5 February.
For her part, Stamp is looking to avoid a ground battle, and instead put Rassohyna on her back to end the fight with a highlight reel knockout.
“My opponent is a judo girl and I think she is an experienced fighter as well. Her judo will be her best weapon. [I have been enjoying] learning techniques to keep my distance from my opponent to prevent a takedown. Learning techniques is not difficult. I like wrestling, and there are many techniques I can have fun with,” Stamp told ONE Championship in a recent interview.
“I think my elbow [is my strongest weapon], it can make a good impact. And my kicks, punches, low kicks — everything about Muay Thai. If I have a chance to deliver a KO, I will. I will unleash everything I have. I want to make it more [convincing] in this fight. I want to make it fresh in the memory of everyone.”
Rassohyna, on the other hand, is most dangerous on the ground. It’s certainly no secret that she plans to take Stamp down to her world and finish her on the mat.
“I’m very good with the armbar. I know how to do my job very well. I am an aggressive fighter. I am good everywhere. I have good takedowns, cage control, and transitions. She’s a strong opponent. She’s a good striker and has great defense. She can use her legs and elbows, and she’s aggressive with her low kicks,” said Rassohyna.
“My grappling and transitions are better than Stamp’s. As usual, I will win in the first round with an armbar.”
Stamp, the former two-sport ONE World Champion, is on a historic quest for a third world title, this time in mixed martial arts competition. If she can beat Rassohyna, it will no doubt move her one step closer to her goal.
Rassohyna will be looking to foil those plans and take Stamp’s spot in the rankings, where she embarks on her own quest to chase ONE Championship gold.
“[Getting the chance to face Stamp] is awesome. I didn’t get at first why she would be my first opponent, but I think it’s a good start in this organization. I think when I win this fight, I will be two steps ahead,” said Rassohyna.
“All my potential opponents are great, but [Stamp] is a good start for me. I want to get the belt. It is going to be the big success, not only for me, but for my gym and my country. It is important for me.”
