Denice Zamboanga’s 3 best wins inside the Circle

ONE rising star Denice Zamboanga’s mission to ascend atop the women’s atomweight rankings continues at ONE Fight Night 9: Nong-O vs Haggerty on Prime Video.

On April 21, inside the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, the 26-year-old Filipino will get down and dirty with Julie Mezabarba. The entire card will air live in US primetime and free for all Amazon Prime Video subscribers in North America.

A veteran of six fights inside the circle, Zamboanga has already traded leather with some of the best female fighters in the promotion.

Apart from her versatile and ever-improving skillset, ‘The Menace’ possesses a true warrior’s heart, evidenced by her absolute wars in the Singapore-based promotion.

Before Zamboanga makes her first appearance of 2023, let’s take a trip down memory lane and recall her three best performances in ONE Championship.

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#3. Zambonga submits Watsapinya Kaewkhong in one round

After winning her first two bouts in the promotion by decision, Zamboanga wanted a statement victory to cement her status as a contender in the promotion’s stacked women’s atomweight ranks.

‘The Menace’ certainly showed just how frightening she can be by giving promotional newcomer Watsapinya Kaewkhong a rude welcome at ONE: A New Breed in 2020.

Zamboanga saw red as soon as the bell rang, charging toward Watsapinya with evil intent. The TREX MMA standout showed her vastly improved striking, tagging her helpless foe with vicious straights and looping hooks.

Watsapinya tried to slow the fight down in the clinch but became a recipient of the Filipino’s nasty knees.

Zamboanga soon changed levels and easily took down the Thai judo champion. After slithering through her guard like butter, Zamboanga moved to side control and locked in a textbook Americana to force the tap.

Watch Zamboanga’s sensational finish here:

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#2. Zamboanga schools veteran Mei Yamaguchi

Shortly after winning her promotional debut vs Jihin Radzuan, Zamboanga was ready for a step up in competition. The 26-year-old got her wish and drew the experienced Mei Yamaguchi at ONE: King of The Jungle.

Yamaguchi, who already had over 30 MMA matches under her belt, tried to impose her will early on. The deviant Filipino, however, refused to back down and took the fight to ‘V.V’. She repeatedly stuffed Yamaguchi’s takedown attempts in round two and battered her on the feet.

‘The Menace’ even escaped a leg lock attempt from Yamaguchi and proceeded to rain down hellfire on her grounded opponent with some brutal ground and pound. Zamboanga amped up the ante in round three, slicing the Japanese fighter’s face open with an elbow, en route to a dominant unanimous decision victory.

Relieve Zamboanga’s decimation of Yamaguchi below:

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#1. Zamboanga showcases her evolution vs. Lin Heqin

Denice Zamboanga saw her three-fight winning streak snapped at the hands of Ham Seo Hee following a controversial split decision defeat.

‘The Menace’ tried to right that wrong but once again fell short in their rematch. After blasting through the competition early on, the Filipina suddenly had her back against the wall following back-to-back setbacks.

Eager to keep her spot in the rankings, Zamboanga laid it all on the line against the dangerous Lin Heqin at ONE on Prime Video 5 in Manila, Philippines last year.

Lin did not make things easy for her, as she tested the fan-favorite’s striking defense with her relentless pressure. Apart from negating the Chinese slugger’s attacks, Zamboanga reciprocated with a heavy artillery of her own, dropping Lin with a precise right straight in round one.

‘MMA Sister’ had her moments in the bout, but Zamboanga was eager to put on a show for her hometown fans. ‘The Menace’ looked so comfortable on the feet, more than ever before, and bloodied up her Chinese foe by round two.

Zamboanga’s brilliant combinations kept flowing in the final five minutes, as she came away with a hard-earned split decision victory.

Check out the amazing three-round war between Zamboanga and Lin: