Reigning champion since 2016, Angela "Unstoppable" Lee moves to 11-2 and is still undefeated at Atomweight, while stopping Stamp Fairtex from becoming a 3-sport queen
Angela "Unstoppable" Lee punching the air in jubilation after her victory against Stamp Fairtex. PHOTO: ONE Championship™
Singapore, 27 March 2022 - Set against the stage of a packed Singapore Indoor Stadium for the first time in over two years, ONE Championship's tenth anniversary blockbuster of an event, ONE X, packed a bigger punch than usual with global muay Thai and MMA stars littered across a fight card that stretched over 10-hours.
All eyes were on Singapore-American Atomweight star Angela "Unstoppable" Lee, a Singapore crowd favourite, making her first return to the cage after a two and a half year layoff due to motherhood.
Stamp Fairtex did well to remain standing and defend against Angela Lee's circle wall, as Lee attempted to take the fight to close quarters. PHOTO: ONE Championship™
Initial Doubts
There were initial doubts on whether Angela Lee would be able to retain her World Title against Thailand's Stamp Fairtex, who has been on a red hot streak, claiming multiple World Titles across divisions.
Even Chatri Sidyodtong, ONE Championship's chairman and CEO, admitted in a post-event press conference that he had rated Lee as the underdog heading into this fight.
Out in the open, Stamp Fairtex made full use of her strengths and sent Angela Lee reeling with a left hook to the liver. PHOTO: ONE Championship™
Yet one cannot understimate a champion who is famed for comebacks, and in this instance, found a new reason to fight. According to Lee, becoming a mother has not made her less of a fighter, but has rather given her a renewed purpose to go into the cage and defend her title.
Despite being badly hurt by a body shot in Round 1 from challenger Stamp Fairtex, Lee bounced back to secure a second round submission to defeat her opponent in stunning fashion.
All about love post fight, as the two fierce competitors embrace each other. PHOTO: ONE Championship™
Achieving a Lifelong Dream
Leading up to the event Stamp Fairtex had shared in an interview that her lifelong dream was to one day be able to fight against her idol Angela Lee, a wish the multi-talented Thai queen finally earned as part of her meteoric MMA rise, she was unable to make it a hattrick of world titles, having previously won the Atomweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing categories.
It was a remarkable win for “Unstoppable,” who halted Stamp’s incredible MMA rise and prevented the former ONE Atomweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion from becoming a three-sport queen.
That streak was broken however by Lee, who went on the offensive within seconds of the opening bell, cornering Stamp in an attempt to take the fight to close quarters but Stamp did well in defending against Lee's Circle Wall.
Angela Lee holding her ground against Stamp Fairtex. PHOTO: ONE Championship™
Advantage Fairtex
After stepping in behind Lee's punches Stamp then sent Lee reeling and falling backwards with a left hook to the liver, and a finish looked within reach of the Thai two-sport queen.
Out in the open, the Thai megastar looked the likelier winner of the two with Lee suddenly looking vulnerable.
Advantage Angela Lee as the Singapore-American took Stamp Fairtex onto the canvas. PHOTO: ONE Championship™
Lee however regained control of the fight, and took Stamp for a rear-naked choke throughout the remainder of the first stanza. The same story would unfold itself in round 2, as the reigning Atomweight world champion looked to finish off Fairtex by sticking to the same gameplan.
Bringing Fairtex down onto the canvas, Lee looked to move straight into a tight triangle but faced a struggle from Fairtex, who scrambled out more than once in an attempt to take back control of the fight.
Smiles all around the Angela Lee camp as Lee defends her World Title. PHOTO: ONE Championship™
Unable to Change the Course of Destiny
Despite taking the fight to Lee, Fairtex could do little to change the course of destiny as Lee dominated the transitions and moved into a twister, from which the Singapore-American held on with rear-naked choke to force her opponent to tap out with just 10 seconds left in the second stanza.
Angela Lee credits her daughter Ava Marie for giving her a bigger why and a renewed purpose going back into the Cage to fight. PHOTO: ONE Championship™
Holding onto her little daughter Ava Marie after being presented with her belt, Lee credited her little one as the reason why the world witnessed her best performance to date.
"I trained harder than ever and pushed myself more than ever. Because of her and because of my amazing team – United MMA and United BJJ – I transformed into this World Champion you see today. So thank you, Ava Marie. Mama did it for you, baby girl."