Striking ace Stamp Fairtex was looking for revenge in her atomweight quarterfinal fight at ONE Championship’s Empower on Friday.
Aloyna Rassohyna had served up the first loss of Stamp’s career earlier this year; the immediate rematch was one of four quarterfinal fights playing out in Singapore at the all-female Empower card.
Stamp is BACK with a brand-new dance! 💃 #ONEEmpower #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/rdyMilCQvE
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) September 3, 2021
Early on in the pair’s second meeting, there was some feeling out on the feet. But not surprisingly, when she could, Ukraine’s Rassohyna took the fight to the ground. She looked for a choke; when they did move back to the feet, Rassohyna kept the neck trapped and landed knees to the body. Late in the round, however, it was Stamp turning the tables, taking the back and getting her hooks in. She got the arm in under the neck, but Rassohyna fought hands, preventing the finish.
Fairtex fired some high kicks early in the second, which Rassohyna blocked. It was single strikes to start the round from Fairtex, which Rassohyna answered back with her hands. Near the midway mark, Rassohyna changed levels and landed a picture-perfect takedown. But Fairtex soon scrambled free and chopped at the legs of Rassohyna who remained on her back. The ref would then stand the fight back up. Or stand up Rassohyna anyway.
Near the end of the second, Rassohyna shot for a takedown, but Fairtex easily reversed and planted the Ukrainian on her back, finishing the round on top.
She’d end up on top again early in the third round. But when Rassohyna locked in an arm-bar, top control nearly backfired for Stamp. Fairtex was in a dicey situation for a bit, but moved with Rassohyna, preventing her from fully extending the limb. Once she settled in on top again, Fairtex landed some ground n’ pound, with several punches connecting clean to the face of Rassohyna. Fairtex would eventually back off, allowing Rassohyna to her feet with 45 seconds left in the fight. Stamp would hit home with a body kick, Rassohyna would shoot for a late takedown at the buzzer, and they’d go to the scorecards.
The outcome: Stamp Fairtex gets her revenge. A split decision, but she moves on in the atomweight grand prix. Semifinals will be chosen by the fans, with voting here.
