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Top five atomweight MMA contender Denice Zamboanga credits her career ascension to the support she has received from her brother and her fiancée.
Since signing with ONE Championship in 2019, 'The Menace' has slowly made her way up the atomweight ladder, earning wins over Jihin Radzuan, Mei Yamaguchi, Lin Heqin, and Julie Mezabarba. Those victories moved Zamboanga into the No. 2 spot in the rankings, setting her up for a ONE world title clash with reigning atomweight queen Stamp Fairtex.
The bout was scheduled to go down on Friday, June 7 at ONE 167. Sadly, Stamp was forced to withdraw after suffering a meniscus injury while training. As a result, Zamboanga will have to wait a little longer for her first shot at 26 pounds of ONE gold, but that doesn't mean she's packing up and going home.
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Zamboanga will still compete at ONE 167, squaring off with short-notice replacement opponent Noelle Grandjean.
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Speaking with ONE Championship before gunning for her third-straight win inside the Circle, Denice Zamboanga offered much of the credit for her success to her brother and fiancée, fellow ONE fighters Drex Zamboanga and Fritz Biagtan.
“The connection that we’ve developed through the years is impeccable," Zamboanga said. "They’re really looking out for me and they only want the best for me.”
Denice Zamboanga gunning for a quick finish against Noelle Grandjean at ONE 167
Though Denice Zamboanga is understandably disappointed that she won't be fighting Stamp Fairtex at ONE 167, 'The Menace' still sees her scrap with Grandjean as an opportunity to further establish herself as the next woman in line for an atomweight title opportunity.
"My team is planning for me to finish the fight and not win by decision, they want to prove that I am the top title contender," she told SCMP MMA.
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.
