Latest news with #ONE167
USA Today
28-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ONE 173 news: Stamp Fairtex set for title unification vs. Denice Zamboanga in Denver
ONE Championship's history-making women's atomweight champion , Stamp Fairtex, is set to face interim champ Denice Zamboanga for a title unification bout. The atomweight (115 pounds) championship fight takes place at ONE 173 on Friday, Aug. 1, at Ball Arena in Denver (presale tickets available here). ONE Championship officials communicated the news to MMA Junkie. Thailand's Stamp (11-2), the first three-sport champion in ONE history, has been sidelined since winning the vacant title by defeating Seo Hee Ham at ONE Fight Night 14 in September 2023. She was set for a pair of dates at ONE 167 and ONE 168 last year but could not compete at either event due to a torn meniscus. After a successful surgery and recovery, she is ready for action and eager to unify the title. 'I'm so happy to be going back to the U.S. again,' Stamp said in a press release. 'I was supposed to face Denice last year, but unfortunately, I got injured. Now, we finally get to fight for the belt. I was blown away by the support I received from all of my U.S. fans at ONE Fight Night 10, and I can't wait to put on a show for them again this August at ONE 173.' A rising star from the Philippines, Zamboanga (12-2) claimed the interim women's atomweight title by stopping Alyona Rassohyna at ONE Fight Night 27 in January. She enters the title unification bout on a four-fight winning streak stretching back to 2022. 'This upcoming fight against Stamp in the United States is a dream come true for me,' Zamboanga said. 'It's not just a personal milestone but a significant moment for the Philippines. Representing my country on such a grand stage fills me with immense pride. I am ready to give my all and bring honor to our nation.'
USA Today
18-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ahead of ONE 171, Kade Ruotolo says love of MMA has 'fully surpassed' jiu-jitsu
Just how much does decorated jiu-jitsu ace Kade Ruotolo love mixed martial arts? Well, for starters, he makes more money from competing on the mats than he does in the cage – but that hasn't stopped him from embracing getting punched in the face. 'Technically I still get paid more to do jiu-jitsu than I do to fight MMA, so for me, it's not even about as much the financials as it is I just love to fight,' Ruotolo told MMA Junkie Radio. '… When I get hit in the face, it wakes me up and makes me want it more.' Ruotolo, 22, is gearing up for his third ONE Championship MMA appearance this Thursday when he meets undefeated Argentinian veteran Nicolas Vigna (7-0) in a lightweight bout at ONE 171 from Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar. The bout will mark Ruotolo's third MMA fight since making his professional debut last June, with his first two ending in first-round submission wins. Ruotolo said he felt the nerves entering his debut at ONE 167, where he defeated Blake Cooper with a face crank. Ruotolo said he didn't feel those same nerves and was 'just confident and ready' before making Ahmed Mutjaba tap out to a brabo choke in his second MMA appearance at ONE 169. While it's easy for Ruotolo (2-0) to lean on his jiu-jitsu in the cage, he said he's enjoying the process of learning the intricacies of MMA – such as using strikes to set up his grappling. At this point so early in his MMA, Ruotolo said his love of MMA has 'fully surpassed' jiu-jitsu. 'Without a doubt,' Ruotolo said. 'I love jiu-jitsu, it's been my entire life pretty much, but this is something new, and it's just refreshing for me. … I'm learning so much, it's just refreshing to be a student of the game again. I'm still a student of the game in jiu-jitsu, of course, but even more so in MMA. It's just been super refreshing and motivating to keep learning everything. As far as my passion goes, it couldn't be too much higher. I'm extremely motivated, and I love this sport with my whole heart.'
