“Be strong and courageous” - Filipino star Denice Zamboanga gears up for huge 2025 run in ONE Championship

Denice Zamboanga just shifted her entire focus on what could be a pivotal 2025 campaign.

The Filipino star has a shot at ONE Championship gold when she takes on Alyona Rassohyna for the ONE interim women's atomweight MMA world title at ONE Fight Night 27 on Jan. 10 at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

Ahead of her critical career junction, Zamboanga detailed her mindset for her impending matchup against Rassohyna.

Denice Zamboanga posted:

"Here’s to a fresh start, new dreams, and endless blessings in the year ahead! Be strong and courageous! #2025"

Zamboanga has cemented herself as one of the best female fighters on the roster. Her three-fight winning streak has put her firmly in the world title picture.

'The Menace' showed off her evolved arsenal with dominant wins over Lin Heqin, Julie Mezabarba, and Noelle Grandjean.

The 27-year-old was supposed to challenge close friend and former training partner Stamp Fairtex for the ONE women's atomweight MMA world title at ONE 167, but the Thai superstar suffered a meniscus tear ahead of the June 2024 card.

Despite Stamp pulling out of ONE 167, Zamboanga stayed on the card and utterly schooled Grandjean for the convincing unanimous decision win.

Zamboanga now heads into a critical matchup against Rassohyna for the interim strap to set up a world title unification match against Stamp in the latter months of 2025.

ONE Fight Night 27 is ONE Championship's first Amazon card of the year and is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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Denice Zamboanga eyes history against Alyona Rassohyna at ONE Fight Night 27

The Philippines has always been one of the most well-represented countries in ONE Championship, and Denice Zamboanga plans to elevate the nation's pedigree further.

In a previous Instagram post, Zamboanga expressed her determination to become the first female Filipino MMA world champion.

She posted:

"The first Filipina MMA world champion 🏆 Blessed to be here. Just want to thank all the people who's stood by me through it all. Psalms 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. #OneChampionship #DeniceZamboanga #OneFightNight27."

Brandon Vera, Eduard Folayang, Honorio Banario, Kevin Belingon, Geje Eustaquio, and ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua Pacio were the first Filipino fighters to capture a ONE MMA world title.