“I was used to being an underdog” - Denice Zamboanga admits she prefers being counted out in her matches

Denice Zamboanga prefers to be the underdog.

It's a role 'The Menace' has played plenty of times throughout her run under the ONE Championship banner. Nobody really gave her a chance against Jihin Radzuan or Mei Yamaguchi in her first two promotional appearances. They certainly didn't expect her to rattle off three straight wins over the last two years.

But now that we've seen what she can do, it should come as no surprise that Zamboanga has flipped the script.

With an opportunity to bring home the ONE interim women's atomweight MMA world championship, Zamboanga is favored to come out on top against Ukraine's Alyona Rassohyna when the two square off at ONE Fight Night 27 on Friday, January 10.

Speaking on her role as the favorite this time around, 'The Menace' admitted to being much more fond of her underdog role

"When I first started, I was used to being an underdog," she told The MMA Superfan. "I like being the underdog since it doesn’t have that much pressure. It’s just me, and then I beat much-heralded fighters to surprise everyone. I like that better than now, when everyone’s watching thinking I’m the more favored fighter. So I’m really doing my best in training."

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Denice Zamboanga is one win away from a guaranteed clash with Stamp Fairtex

Denice Zamboanga earned her shot 26 pounds of ONE gold with a trio of wins over Lin Heqin, Julie Mezabarba, and Noelle Grandjean.

Originally, 'The Menace' was scheduled to challenge current undisputed ONE atomweight MMA queen Stamp Fairtex at ONE 167 in June, but Stamp was forced to bow out of the bout after tearing her meniscus during a sparring session ahead of fight night.

Grandjean stepped in and fought Zamboanga at the event on short notice.

If the Filipina fan favorite delivers another dominant win against Rassohyna, she'll be guaranteed a clash with Stamp once the Thai superstar is cleared for a return to martial arts' biggest global stage.

Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE Fight Night 27 live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, January 10 in U.S. primetime.