Two high-stakes kickboxing collisions between Japanese heroes and Thai megastars will anchor ONE 173 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Sunday, November 16, as redemption narratives collide with ONE World Championship ambitions.

Reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 squares off against former K-1 Champion Yuki Yoza in a heated bantamweight showdown that could decide the next challenger for the division’s coveted belt. The clash represents Superlek’s first opportunity to silence his most persistent critic while rebounding from the shocking defeat that ended his legendary winning streak.

Former three-sport queen Stamp Fairtex makes her long-awaited return to competition against recent World Title challenger Kana Morimoto in atomweight warfare. The comeback represents Stamp’s attempt to rebuild her legacy after injury hell forced her to relinquish MMA gold.

Superlek enters this collision carrying the burden of March’s devastating setback against Nabil Anane. The 29-year-old Buriram native had enjoyed an astonishing 13-bout winning streak that included victories over Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Takeru Segawa, and Jonathan Haggerty before everything unraveled at ONE 172.

His bantamweight Muay Thai title defense against Anane became a nightmare when he failed to make weight and was stripped of the belt on the scales. The 6-foot-4 Thai-Algerian phenom then bullied him through three rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory, shattering Superlek’s aura of invincibility.

Now “The Kicking Machine” faces an opponent who has been calling him out relentlessly while building his own impressive momentum. Yoza brought a 10-bout winning streak into ONE Championship when he signed in April, immediately targeting the biggest names in his division.

The 27-year-old Japanese striker has backed up his bold words with spectacular performances. His promotional debut saw him hand Russian wrecking ball Elbrus Osmanov his first career loss in May. He followed that breakthrough by dismantling former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Petchtanong Petchfergus just weeks ago.

The Team Vasileus member also carries personal motivation beyond championship positioning. Victory over Superlek would allow him to avenge teammate Takeru, who suffered defeat to the Thai superstar in January 2024.

Stamp’s return represents one of combat sports’ most compelling comeback stories. The only fighter to capture ONE World Titles across MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing was forced to watch from the sidelines after suffering a torn meniscus during training camp for her scheduled June 2024 title defense against Denice Zamboanga.

Another setback derailed her planned August return, ultimately forcing the 27-year-old to relinquish her ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship to keep the division moving. Rather than delay her comeback further, she has chosen to test the waters in atomweight kickboxing, a division she once ruled with devastating efficiency.

Kana represents the perfect opponent for Stamp’s return to competition. The Japanese striker earned her title shot by defeating Moa Carlsson in January, only to fall short against reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom in March.

A victory over the returning superstar would catapult Kana back into contention while potentially derailing one of the sport’s greatest comeback attempts.

READ MORE: Regian Eersel Promises To Break George Jarvis In ONE World Title Defense

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