Denice Zamboanga on why she called out Stamp Fairtex - “I want to get back to my number one spot”

The third-ranked atomweight contender, Denice Zamboanga, wants the No. 1 spot in the rankings and if she needs to go through one of her closest friends in Stamp Fairtex to get it, then so be it.

After back-to-back setbacks inside the circle, Zamboanga got back into the win column with a big win over ‘MMA Sister’ Lin Heqin at ONE on Prime Video 5 on Friday night.

Though it was a split decision, Zamboanga was the general consensus winner amongst the MMA community. Following her victory, she called out the former two-sport world champion, saying:

“I have interest in taking the No.1 rank, which belongs to my very close friend Stamp Fairtex. If I beat her, I can challenge the champion."

In an interview with ONE Championship, ‘The Menace’ shared a little more insight into her callout of someone she considers to be her close friend:

“It’s because I already fought most of the top five. She’s now ranked number one. I want to get back to my number one spot.”

Currently, Stamp Fairtex is scheduled to step back into the circle at ONE on Prime Video 6 on January 13. Stamp will compete in the promotion’s second-ever mixed-rules bout with Muay Thai specialist Anissa Meksen as ONE Championship heads to Impact Arena in Thailand.

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Stamp Fairtex confident she can knock out Angela Lee in a potential rematch

After running through the competition in 2021’s Atomweight World Grand Prix tournament, Stamp earned her spot as the No. 1 ranked contender to current atomweight queen Angela Lee. The Thai phenom finally got her shot at ONE Championship’s 10th anniversary spectacular ONE X in March.

Stamp nearly walked away with a three-sport world champion after hurting Lee with a devastating body blow. Swarming in for the win, the Thai fighter was unable to put away the reigning champion. Fully recovered, Lee was able to wrestle Stamp to the ground and secure a second-round rear-naked choke.

Speaking with ONE Championship, Stamp Fairtex said she is still upset about letting Angela Lee off the hook that night, but believes she now carries the blueprint on how to beat Lee should the two meet again inside the circle:

“I felt really bad [that I didn’t get the knockout]. I knew she was scared of the body shots, so that’s what I went after. After fighting her the first time, I know that if I fought her again, I can knock her out and I can win. Because I know how she fights now, I’ve experienced it.”

Before she can get another crack at the atomweight queen, Stamp Fairtex may need to go through her friend Denice Zamboanga first.