Why Did Stamp Fairtex Change Her Name in ONE Championship?

Three-sport World Champion Stamp Fairtex, a true warrior of the ring and a shining star for ONE Championship, was originally slated to headline both ONE 167 and ONE 168: Denver. However, a recent injury has sidelined her from these bouts. The fate of her Denver fight remains shrouded in mystery, while ONE 167 has been transformed into ONE 167: Tawanchai vs Nattawut 2, a clash destined to unfold at the famed Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Following the ancient customs of Muay Thai, where fighters are known by their fighting names, many fans may not realize that Stamp Fairtex’s birth name is Nadthawan Panthong. This tradition of adopting a moniker, which is often imbued with power and meaning, continues today. In this article, we will explore the origins behind Stamp Fairtex’s chosen name and the reason why the Pattaya native changed her name.

Stamp Fairtex’s name has a connection with a gym

Learning under her father, Wisanlek Lukabangpasoy (a former Muay Thai fighter), Stamp first attended his classes to protect herself from bullies. She showed her talent at the age of six by winning her first fight via TKO with knees. Her early career was also captured in a documentary called ‘Buffalo Girls’. However, she halted her Muay Thai training due to the lack of female opponents in her city at that time.

Consequently, in search of better opportunities, Stamp moved to the Fairtex Gym in Pattaya. There, she also picked up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. While honing her skills at the gym, she adopted the gym’s name, Fairtex, as part of her fight name to honor the gym. This is a mutually beneficial practice: it shows respect for her training ground and in turn promotes the gym, aiding their marketing efforts.

Other Thai fighters like Superlek and Wondergirl have also adopted their gym’s name. Importantly, ‘Stamp Fairtex’ is easily pronounced in Western countries like America, which has further contributed to her rising popularity. However, this practice of combining nicknames and gym names is unique to Thailand, or more specifically, the Muay Thai scene within Southeast Asia. Here, almost every fighter comptes under a combination of their nickname and gym affiliation.

How ONE’s Muay Thai star chose their fight names

Traditionally, Thailand has been known as “The Land of Smiles.” However, with the rise of MMA, the country has also become synonymous with distinctive fight names. This practice reflects fighter’s deep connection to their gyms and a way of honoring their training grounds. Unlike some countries where fighters use birth names, Muay Thai fighters in Thailand often receive nicknames early in their careers, which they later combine with their gym’s name when they turn professional.

Furthermore, Thai culture has a unique naming system that incorporates honorifics. Words like “P” and “Nong” are used to differentiate between addressing someone older or younger. For example, “Dok” becomes ‘P’Dok” for an older person, and “Nong Dok” for a younger one. This practice isn’t as common in Muay Thai, but some fighters, like Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, incorporate these honorifics into their fight names.

In addition to nicknames, Muay Thai fighters also adopt fight names. These names, often bestowed by gym owners or emerging organically, hold special meanings. For example, Superlek Kiatmoo9, the #1 ranked fighter in his weight class, received his name from his gym (Kiatmoo9) which translates to “small but stronger.” Fight names can also incorporate colors, reflecting a common practice in Thai naming traditions. Colors like “Dam” (black), “Kao” (white), and “Daeng” (red) frequently appear in Muay Thai fight names.

This unique combination of nicknames, fight names, and cultural references creates a colorful and meaningful identity for each Muay Thai athlete. Who is your favorite Muay Thai fighter, and what do you find most interesting about their names? Share your thoughts in the comments below.