The Philippines has always been one of the most successful countries in combat sports, and Denice Zamboanga is determined to submit her entry into the nation's sporting almanac.
Zamboanga will face Alyona Rassohyna for the ONE interim women's atomweight MMA world title at ONE Fight Night 27 on Jan. 10, US primetime, at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.
Taking to Instagram, Zamboanga said she's hellbent on claiming the interim women's atomweight MMA throne and becoming the first female Filipino fighter to capture an MMA world title.
"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," Denice Zamboanga wrote.
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Zamboanga is the number two-ranked women's atomweight MMA contender and has been on a tear in her past few fights in ONE Championship.
The 27-year-old is on a three-fight winning streak, with victories over Lin Heqin, Julie Mezabarba, and Noelle Grandjean.
Zamboanga was initially scheduled to face close friend and former training partner Stamp Fairtex for the ONE women's atomweight MMA world title at ONE 167.
Stamp, however, suffered a gruesome meniscus tear during training camp that forced her out of the Bangkok card in June. Zamboanga still fought in the card and produced a masterclass against Grandjean for the unanimous decision win.
'The Menace' now looks to make history when he takes her shot at interim ONE Championship gold.
Brandon Vera, Eduard Folayang, Honorio Banario, Kevin Belingon, Geje Eustaquio, and reigning ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua Pacio have given the Philippines multiple ONE world titles, and Zamboanga aims to become the first woman from the nation to join her compatriots' pantheon.
ONE Fight Night 27 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Denice Zamboanga confident about taking a finish against Alyona Rassohyna at ONE Fight Night 27
Denice Zamboanga is confident the judges won't be issuing their scorecards in her interim world title match against Alyona Rassohyna.
In an interview with ABS-CBN, Zamboanga said she's confident she'll take either a knockout or a submission against the division's fourth-ranked contender.
"I'm confident that I'll get to finish her wherever it goes, whether it be on the feet or on the ground".