Filipina MMA sensation Denice Zamboanga is a champion no more.
She didn’t lose the title in the cage, though. Instead, she voluntarily gave up her ONE Championship women’s atomweight belt because she’s got something else entirely more meaningful to attend to: motherhood.
The 29‑year‑old recently welcomed her first child with husband Fritz “Kid Tornado” Biagtan, and this prompted the champion to vacate her throne so as not to hold up the division. With her decision, other contenders will have the chance to go after the crown—one that the Filipina will surely be going after again in due time.
“God has always had a beautiful plan for my life, and I trust His timing in everything. After much prayer and reflection, I have made the difficult decision to vacate my ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship,” Zamboanga wrote on social media on Tuesday. “This was not an easy choice, but I believe it is the right one for this season of my life and for the athletes in my division who continue to chase their dreams.”
Denice Zamboanga owns a 12‑2 professional record and is 7‑2 in ONE Championship.
Denice Zamboanga Clarifies: She’s Not Stepping Away From MMA
Zamboanga, who arrived in ONE in 2019, clarified in her same post that she’s just stepping away from the throne, not the sport. In fact, she’s calling this part of her career “a new chapter” as she embraces every and all moments that come with it.
“While I am stepping away from the title, I am not stepping away from the sport I love. Fighting has shaped who I am, and the warrior in me will always remain,” Zamboanga said. “Right now, my heart and focus are devoted to the greatest blessing God has entrusted to me. This season is teaching me that there are victories beyond championship belts, and I am embracing every moment of it with gratitude. This is not the end of my story. It’s simply a new chapter.”
That previous chapter was an absolute success, with Denice Zamboanga reeling off three straight wins to open her ONE Championship career. Back‑to‑back losses to South Korea’s Ham Seo Hee derailed her career, but she bounced back in a big way with four straight wins—including one against Ukraine’s Alyona Rassohyna, where she earned the interim belt. Four months later, Zamboanga was elevated to undisputed champion after lineal champ Stamp Fairtex suffered another injury.
Now, that chapter for Denice Zamboanga is closed. A new one is just beginning.
