Singapore: After Stamp Fairtex and Ritu "The Indian Tigress" Phogat had an intense stare down at the conclusion of One: NextGen in October, Phogat claimed that she saw fear in the Thai's eyes.
As Stamp prepares for their upcoming fight -- the final of the One women's atomweight World Grand Prix at One: Winter Warriors on Friday -- the Pattaya resident, however, scoffed at her rival's claim, declaring that it was not the case.
"I'm not scared at all. Ritu is a normal human, just like me," Stamp said.
The rise of Phogat, a lifelong wrestler, through One Championship's atomweight division has been anything but ordinary, though.
She debuted in November 2019 and put the MMA world on notice with a first-round TKO win.
Since then "The Indian Tigress" scored six more victories and suffered only one loss, which she quickly redeemed two months later.
Despite Phogat's success, Stamp believes she has the advantage against the 2016 Commonwealth Wrestling Championships gold medallist as she feels the Indian can only threaten in a single discipline.
"I've been studying Ritu quite deeply. I am well prepared to fight her," she said.
"She has only one strength, which is taking her opponent down and taking control of the fight. That's it. Her striking is not very good. She has a basic jab and right hand to set up her shots."
Stamp, a former One atomweight kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion who once held both titles simultaneously, has mastered the art of striking and is likely to dominate her rival with precise punches.
"Ritu is very tough and durable. She got knocked down and still recovered in her fights. So, it depends on the strikes. I'll strike and just to be safe I will not be too aggressive in case Ritu gets a chance to take me down.
"I will cope with her takedown threat by probably applying my Muay Thai skills. The takedowns happen at a super fast pace. When she approaches, I'll have to use my knees or elbows to stop her."
If the Thai striker stops Phogat, she will win the tournament's silver belt and fulfill her dream of challenging "Unstoppable" Angela Lee for the One atomweight world championship in 2022.
"I would be very glad to face a fighter I really admire," Stamp said.
Stamp and Phogat's battle will be broadcast this Friday on One Super App, YouTube, and AIS Play from 7.30pm. Also, Thairath TV32 will cut into the broadcast at 9.30pm.