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While Denice Zamboanga doesn't want to get ahead of herself, she knows a clash with Stamp Fairtex will always be on the horizon for her.
The reigning atomweight MMA queen is still sidelined after knee surgery, paving the way for Zamboanga and Alyona Rassohyna to vie for the interim crown.
These two world-class strikers will clash horns this Friday, Jan. 10, in the first of two world title bouts at ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Adbullaev on Prime Video.
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If 'The Menace' emerges victorious, then a world title unification bout with her former Fairtex Training Center teammate will become a reality once Stamp fully heals.
When that happens, Zamboanga said she'll put all affinity for the three-sport world champion aside. She told the Bangkok Post's Nick Atkin:
"You know, friendship and business are different. When I step into the circle, I do whatever it takes to become a champion."
Denice Zamboanga was supposed to challenge Stamp at ONE 167 last June before the Thai star got bit by the injury bug. For now, the Filipina must first handle business with Rassohyna to make this dream matchup a reality.
Watch Nick Atkin's full ONE Fight Night 27 pre-event interviews:
Denice Zamboanga says Alyona Rassohyna will be overwhelmed by her versatility
Alyona Rassohyna's impeccable ground game truly shone in her two matches with Stamp.
However, as far as Denice Zamboanga is concerned, the Ukrainian won't have the same success against her since she's also no slouch in the grappling department.
"Her game is still the same. But I think she will adjust a little bit because she hasn’t fought a grappler like me. She’s always fought strikers," she said in the same interview.
By the looks of it, 'The Menace' has no fear figuring in grappling exchanges against the dangerous submission specialist. We'll soon see if the Filipina can walk the talk and claim 26 pounds of gold ONE Fight Night 27.
The full event will air live in US primetime free for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
