Kana's Crucial Clash: Stopping Stamp's Big Return at ONE 173
A Major Moment for Kana Morimoto
Japanese kickboxing veteran Kana “Krusher Queen” Morimoto is stepping into the spotlight with a fight that could define her career. This Sunday, November 16, she will take on one of the most beloved fighters in the world at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri. The event is set to take place at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, and it marks a pivotal moment for the four-time K-1 Champion.
Kana will face Thai megastar Stamp Fairtex in a highly anticipated three-round atomweight kickboxing contest. This matchup has generated a lot of excitement, as it presents an opportunity for Kana to elevate her status on the global stage. A victory over the former three-sport ONE World Champion could open new doors for her within the competitive atomweight kickboxing division.
The 33-year-old fighter expressed her determination ahead of the match:
"So for this fight, I’m going to be fighting with Stamp Fairtex, and she is the number one in three sports, and she is very popular around the world. If I win against her in this fight, the world will also focus on me now, too. So, it’s going to be a big chance for me. It’s a very important fight."
A Chance for Revenge
This fight is not just about recognition; it's also about settling old scores. Kana has long wanted a rematch against reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Queen” Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom, who defeated her at ONE 172 in March. A win over Stamp could potentially lead to that revenge match, which would be a major step toward her ultimate goal.
Kana’s ambitions are clear:
"The key is, if I win against Stamp, I might get a revenge match against Phetjeeja. And also, my goal is to be the next champion of ONE Championship, and this fight means a lot to connect me to that title."
She recognizes the significance of this fight, not only for herself but for the global audience watching.
Understanding the Opponent
Kana acknowledges that Stamp Fairtex is a formidable opponent. The Thai fighter holds an impressive record, being the only athlete in the history of the world’s largest martial arts organization to capture World Titles in MMA, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. While Stamp has been sidelined due to a knee injury, Kana sees both danger and opportunity in their upcoming clash.
She believes that their styles will collide in a dramatic way:
"Stamp’s strength is gonna be her power and also, she has the heart to finish her opponent in the critical moment, the important moment [of the fight], and also, she has very powerful one-shot KO power. Also for this fight, Stamp’s fighting style matches up so well with mine, and for this fight, someone is going to be knocked out."
Kana’s Strategy and Confidence
As the event approaches, Kana has analyzed both her strengths and those of her opponent. While many see Stamp’s explosiveness as the defining factor, Kana believes her own attributes could tilt the contest in her favor.
She emphasized her speed, timing, and clean shot selection as key elements that could disrupt Stamp’s rhythm. In her view, this fight will be decided by narrow margins, and if she lands cleanly, she knows she has the power to put anyone away.
"Where I am better against Stamp is going to be my speed and also, I have that one shot power to KO my opponent."
Kana is fully aware of the pressure and magnitude of this fight. She expects Stamp to arrive with a sharpened spirit and a desire to reclaim momentum. Still, Kana is prepared to meet that intensity with her own.
"I also think Stamp wants this comeback fight so bad, and I believe Stamp’s mental condition is going to be very strong coming back this time. I believe Stamp is going to come back with 100 of her physicality. There will be no disadvantages or handicaps. It’s gonna be a fair fight."
A Path to Recognition
With all eyes on their clash, Kana sees a clear path to redefining how fans view her. She has yet to score a knockout in ONE, but she views Stamp as the perfect opponent to bring out the most dangerous version of herself.
If she can deliver that moment in Tokyo, she believes the world will finally understand her true quality as a fighter.
"Since I came to ONE Championship, I haven’t had any KO victories. So this time, if I can knock Stamp out, it’ll be a big comeback for me. If I am able to KO Stamp this time, then people may think that Kana could be the next World Champion."
