"Fighting in my own country is different" - Denice Zamboanga on what it's like competing in front of a passionate Filipino crowd

To say that Filipino fans are quite passionate about their homegrown athletes would be quite an understatement.

Second-ranked atomweight MMA contender Denice Zamboanga knows all about the world-renowned "Filipino hospitality", which also applies to the support they give to their countrymen representing the flag.

In a recent appearance on The Sheehan Show via Sherdog's YouTube page, Zamboanga shared why she'd still prefer to fight in the Philippines, compared to other countries she's been in.

'The Menace' shared:

"Fighting here in my own country is very different. The crowd is different. The cheer and support are different. But I'm used to fighting in other countries."

Even when fighting abroad, fighters from the Philippines often get loud ovations from their supportive Filipino contingent.

Denice Zamboanga certainly needs all the support she can get for arguably the biggest fight of her professional career by far.

The 27-year-old will be challenging Stamp Fairtex for the atomweight MMA crown in the main event of ONE 167, live on US Primetime, on June 7.

Apart from taking on arguably one of the best female MMA fighters on the planet today, Zamboanga will also be entering enemy territory, as Bangkok's Impact Arena will be their battleground.

Still, the Filipina standout knows she'll always have the entire Philippines by her side and will do everything to become the country's first-ever female MMA world champion.

Watch Denice Zamboanga's full interview:

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Denice Zamboanga says she's always been a better grappler than Stamp

In a recent interview with ONE, Denice Zamboanga recalled her early days training alongside Stamp at Fairtex Training Center in Pattaya, Thailand.

'The Menace' revealed she always got the better of the Thai striker when it came to grappling.

Zamboanga expects the same scenario in her upcoming clash with her former teammate. She said:

"Ever since we started training together [at Fairtex], I've always been more knowledgeable in grappling, and I feel I can use that against her in this match."

ONE 167 is free for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.