“It gives me a different kind of confidence” - Denice Zamboanga says it's a ‘blessing’ that brother Drex still guides her MMA career

Second-ranked atomweight MMA contender Denice Zamboanga is thankful to have had her brother by her side throughout her mixed martial arts career.

Originally, 'The Menace' was scheduled to challenge reigning ONE atomweight MMA world champion Stamp Fairtex at ONE 167 on Friday, June 7. Sadly, that fight will have to wait as the champ sustained a meniscus injury, forcing her to bow out of the bout and undergo surgery. Instead, Zamboanga will go toe-to-toe with Noelle Grandjean at the event.

It's an unfortunate turn of events for Zamboanga, but she is nevertheless excited to compete on martial arts' biggest global stage — especially with her big brother and fellow ONE Championship fighter Drex Zamboanga standing by her side.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Zamboanga said:

“Having [my brother Drex] in my corner is such a huge thing for me," she said in an interview with ONE. "Ever since I started fighting, I’ve been with my big brother. Now being in this position as I gun for bigger goals, it’s a blessing to still have him beside me. It gives me a different kind of confidence.”

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Denice Zamboanga seeks third-straight win against short-notice opponent Noelle Grandjean

Denice Zamboanga goes into her next fight riding the momentum of back-to-back wins, dispatching 'Fighting Sister' Lin Heqin and Julie Mezabarba. Overall, 'The Menace' is an impressive 10-2 with her other noteworthy wins in ONE coming against Jihin Radzuan, Mei Yamaguchi, and Watsapinya Kaewkhong.

As for Noelle Grandjean, the Thai-French standout will be gunning for his sixth career victory as she steps back into the Circle a month removed from her scrap with Chihiro Sawada at ONE Fight Night 22 on March 3.

Since making her debut with the promotion, 'Lil Monkey' has alternated wins and losses, earning W's against Lea Bivins and Victoria Souza while coming up short against So Yul Kim and the aforementioned Sawada.

Will Grandjean score the short-notice upset and thrust herself into the atomweight top five, or will Zamboanga once again show the world why she is one of the best atomweight fighters in the world today?

ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 167 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, June 7.