Filipina MMA fighter Denice Zamboanga made history on Saturday by fulfilling a lifelong dream
The 27-year-old fighter from Zamboanga won the interim atomweight title in ONE Fight Night 27 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Thailand with a second-round technical knockout of Alyona Rassohyna at the 4:47 mark of the second round
With her title conquest, Zamboanga became the first Filipina ever to hold an MMA world championship belt.
See Zamboanga’s winning moment:
“I’m speechless. First of all, I won’t be here without the Lord, Jesus Christ. You know, I’ve been aiming for this gold for years,” Zamboanga said after the fight. “I’m not here for short notice, I made this from hard work, tears and everything… The delays and injuries, I’ve been through a lot of injuries. Last two weeks, I couldn’t move my arm, my left arm, but I still fought because I know God will give me this belt.”
The fight’s ending sequence saw Zamboanga rain down hammer fists and elbows on Rassohyna, leaving referee Herb Dean with no choice to call an end to championship bout.
Aside from winning the title, Zamboanga also earned $50,000 for her championship performance.
Stamp Fairtex Next? Zamboanga on Collision Course with Good Friend
Zamboanga’s win puts her on a collision course with good friend Stamp Fairtex, who is currently the division’s undisputed champion. The two—Zamboanga and Fairtex—were actually scheduled for a title fight last year but was postponed after the Thai fighter sustained injuries.
The Filipina champ is certainly up for that unification.
“You know, I think I really deserve to fight for Stamp’s championship because I proved that I can finish my opponent. So, I think I deserve to fight her,” Zamboanga said of the possible clash with Fairtex.
A Zamboanga-Fairtex clash for the championship has the makings of a class for sure. But for now, the fighting Filipina can just enjoy her golden moment.
