"Something that champions go through" - Denice Zamboanga says setbacks are part of her journey for elusive world title

Filipina MMA star Denice Zamboanga certainly knows that earning a world title shot is a hard path because she needed five years and eight bouts in the world's largest martial arts organization to secure the championship shot.

On Jan. 10, Zamboanga and Alyona Rassohyna will co-headline the ONE Fight Night 27 card inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

In a recent interview, she spoke with ONE Championship about her journey ahead of her first world title match.

The number two-ranked divisional contender endured an up-and-down ride, as she explained:

"Of course, there were times wherein I questioned whether this title shot is for me, but then I brushed it off. I just looked at it as something that champions go through."

'The Menace' enjoys a three-fight win streak heading into this massive opportunity. During this stretch, Zamboanga scored decision wins over Lin Heqin, Julie Mezabarba, and, most recently, Noelle Grandjean.

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Denice Zamboanga gives Alyona Rassohyna credit for splitting head-to-head with Stamp Fairtex

Although the 27-year-old Filipina MMA star will go into battle with the Ukrainian veteran, she has given her the deserved flowers for pushing the current undisputed ONE atomweight MMA world champion Stamp Fairtex and even splitting her head-to-head score with her.

In a recent interview with ONE Championship, Zamboanga explained how the Ukrainian earned her respect for giving the Thai superstar the toughest challenge of her MMA run under the banner, as she stated:

"In their fight, it was the first time I saw Stamp really struggle. Before that, I don't think there was a fighter who really made it difficult for Stamp. It was only Alyona."

North American viewers with an active Prime Video subscription can watch all the action at ONE Fight Night 27 on Jan. 10, which emanates from the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.