Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s live blog of the fight between Ritu Phogat and Stamp Fairtex. This is Lalith Kalidas bringing you all the updates as it unfolds at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang.

As we wait for Ritu’s clash, here’s a recap of a sensational journey from the mat to the ring!

Round 1 underway: 18 first round finishes between the two, only one will emerge winner tonight!

Bout 3, up next: Lightweight contest between, No.3 Timofey Nastyukhin vs. No.5 Dagi Arslanaliev. Two of the most exuberant strikers in the business. This one might just go down to the wire!

Bout 2: Buchecha beats “Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Won by submission (rear-naked choke) in 2-27 in Round 1.

6-53PM IST: A lightning quick takedown from Buchecha early on in Round 1 and that could well put the Brazilian on his way. A couple of forceful jabs land on Kang who tries to break free. Buchecha finds the rear choke and has him in full submission on the ground!  And there it goes! Buchecha bulldozes Kang and dashes the contest in a matter of minutes. An intense takedown and the near perfect choke gives him a second successive win by submission. He becomes the first man to beat Kang and extends his unbeaten run.

UP NEXT: Bout No.2 – Heavyweight

“Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Won vs. Buchecha

Bout 1: Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu  beats Hu “Wolf Warrior” Yong by unanimous decision! Fair to say, there was only one winner from the onset. A flawless display from the Japanese star to set off proceedings for the night.

6-30PM IST: Wakamatsu is all over Hu Yong here on the Round 2, pinning him to a tight lease on the ground before knocking in a few side-on blows to the face. Hu has no options in his game to move out and attempt for a counter. And right on cue, another stellar takedown from Wakamatsu!

6-25PM IST: A flawless start from Wakamatsu has Hu on the back-foot. A couple of fierce late strikes onto the chin has Wakamatsu seemingly on top after Round 1.

6-20PM IST: The first fight of the night is underway. Hu takes on the no.3 Wakamatsu.

6-10PM IST: The night’s first bout is the Flyweight division clash between: Hu “Wolf Warrior” Yong and Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu

6-07PM IST: All the fighters in action, Phogat and Fairtex included, line-up for a presentation on the stage.

6-05PM IST: We have our first visuals on Ritu as she walks into the Indoor Stadium with some flair and confidence. An intense Fairtex is seen soon behind her.

6-00PM IST: All set for the Winter Warriors, here we go!

5-57PM IST: Two fighters with identical 7-1 MMA record, who will emerge on top tonight? Will it be Ritu or the former two-sport champion Fairtex that rules the night?

5-50PM IST: 10 minutes away from the Winter Warrior card! What’s your predictions for tonight?

5-20PM IST: When the finalists interacted with the current atomweight champion Angela Lee in the lead-up to the fight. Angela also predicted that Stamp will be able to see off Ritu in the final tonight, an interesting evening awaits us, folks!

5-15PM IST: Road to the Final: Ritu Phogat

Road to the Final: Stamp Fairtex

5-05PM IST: Under an hour away from the opening of the Winter Warriors card. Ritu is on the cusp of history of becoming the first woman to hold a Grand Prix title. It’ll be a clash of styles as he goes toe-to-toe with her challenger from Thailand, Stamp Fairtex, who is known for her supreme and aggressive striking game.

5-00PM IST: “The Indian Tigress” is all set for a spectacle tonight in Kallang!

MAIN CARD for ONE: Winter Warriors

FIGHT PREVIEW

Ritu Phogat and the Atomweight Grand Prix – the buzz and the stakes

The 27-year-old wrestler-turned MMA fighter has been on a fine run ever since her first MMA loss in May 2021. Ritu soon found herself amongst the eight best fighters to participate in the Atomweight Grand Prix – a brainchild tournament introduced by ONE CEO Chatri Sityodang.

The Grand Prix was aimed at seeking a new challenger for the current ONE Atomeweight champion Angela Lee who has been away from action since October 2019 due to her pregnancy.

In her two bouts so far, Ritu notched up unanimous victories over Meng Bo (quarterfinal, September 3) and Jenelyn Olsim (semifinal, October 29) – raising her MMA record to 7-1.

READ:
Stamp is more dangerous now: Nguyen ahead of Ritu Phogat vs Stamp Fairtex MMA Grand Prix final

The Fairtex challenge

Her final opponent, Fairtex, holds an equally impressive MMA record of 7-1 and is ranked second in the women’s atomweight rankings. The 24-year-old from Thailand is also a former champion in the atomweight division in both Muay Thai and Kickboxing – the first and only champion in both sports.

With a superior all-round game that includes a flair for fierce striking, Fairtex poses a sturdy challenge to the fourth-ranked “Indian Tigress” who is heavily reliant on her wrestling techniques.

If Ritu manages to brave the odds, she will in fact become the first Indian woman to earn a Grand Prix title as she will be awarded a silver belt alongside the honour of becoming the next challenger for Angela Lee’s atomweight title.

What they said

“I think stylistically, Stamp has a better chance [at beating Angela Lee]. She has more tools. You can try to defend on the ground against Angela, but she can also beat Angela on the feet, whereas Ritu will have a hard time because her strength is wrestling, and Angela is a dangerous submission artist.” – Bi Nguyen, Vietnamese ONE Atomweight fighter

ALSO READ:
Ritu Phogat to fight Stamp Fairtex in ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix Championship Final

“Stamp is definitely a formidable opponent but she doesn’t have the kind of wrestling experience and background that I have built over the last seven years. I am certain that my superior wrestling background will give me an edge,” – Ritu Phogat.

Where is the Ritu Phogat vs Stamp Fairtex, ONE Grand Prix Finals being held?

The Grand Prix Final which is part of the Winter Warriors card will be held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang.

When and where to watch Ritu Phogat vs Stamp Fairtex, ONE Grand Prix Finals?

Ritu Phogat’s final bout against Stamp Fairtex can be streamed online on Star Sports Select 1 and Hotstar from 6PM IST on December 3, Friday. The event will also be streamed one ONE’s YouTube channel.