Since arriving in ONE Championship, Ham Seo Hee has become an undeniable force in the women’s atomweight MMA division, and her perfect 3-0 slate has earned her the biggest opportunity of her professional career at ONE Fight Night 14.
Ham meets Stamp Fairtex in the main event on Saturday, September 30, with the dynamic pair battling it out for the ONE interim women’s atomweight MMA title inside Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“Hamzzang” is currently riding a nine-fight winning streak, and her latest victory over Itsuki Hirata at ONE Fight Night 8 in March was enough to convince ONE’s matchmakers that she deserved a chance to compete for a world title.
The contest was the epitome of a veteran-versus-prospect matchup, and Ham’s experience played a crucial role throughout. The South Korean managed to keep “Android 18” at bay as she controlled Hirata for 15 minutes to earn the unanimous decision.
Analyzing her performance, the South Korean veteran said, “I thought Itsuki was good at judo takedowns and had good balance, so I focused on figuring out the fight in my own style instead of trying something new.
“As always, I worked hard enough not to regret it all.”
The rivalry with Hirata was quickly put into the back of Ham’s mind, as ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong immediately announced that her next fight would be for the divisional strap.
With the continued absence of atomweight queen Angela Lee, ONE decided to put an interim belt up for grabs, and Ham soon had an opponent in the form of Stamp.
The former two-sport ONE world champion has taken to MMA like a duck to water, and she cemented her place atop the atomweight rankings thanks to a devastating KO win over Alyse Anderson this past May at ONE Fight Night 10.
Stamp’s evolving skillset makes her threat wherever a fight goes, but Ham maintains she’s working on a gameplan to stop her Thai foe’s momentum at ONE Fight Night 14.
“I am putting in a lot of effort to get ready for the upcoming fight like any other one so as not to regret it all. I am doing my best to prepare in every aspect rather than just focusing on preparing separately,” she said.
“As both possess striking strengths, I am focusing on training to showcase it feisty during the title fight.”
With a spectacular record of 26-8 and a winning streak that dates back to 2017, Ham’s experience is in a league of its own.
She is under no illusions about Stamp’ danger. But much like her meeting with Hirata, the 36-year-old feels her prowess will be one step beyond the mark on September 30.
“I think Stamp is a powerful opponent. Her Muay Thai strikes are powerful, and she successfully transitioned them into MMA,” Ham said.
“But when it comes to MMA, I’m a cut above her. I think MMA striking has different distances and movements that set it apart.”