The Philippines’ combat sports community enjoyed a banner year in 2025, with multiple standout victories in various disciplines. Filipino fighter Drex Zamboanga aims to build on that momentum going into the new year with BRAVE Combat Federation.
Long viewed by the fans as one of the country’s most talented MMA athletes, Zamboanga signed with the Bahrain-based promotion last February on a multi-fight deal to join their growingly talented lightweight division.
“T-Rex” was initially pegged to make his promotional debut in May 2025 against ranked lightweight contender Ramazan Gitinov at BRAVE CF 95. However, he was forced off the card when he suffered a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury before fight week.
Despite the setback, the 32-year-old remains hungry to show the world what he’s made of sometime this year.
“I have been away long enough, and I am hungry to compete again. I signed with BRAVE CF to fight, and I want to maximize this contract,” he mentioned.
Zamboanga Back in Fighting Shape
Zamboanga also shared how much the extensive physical therapy and focused strengthening exercises have helped him return to fighting condition, which he has recently been medically cleared for.
“My body feels great now. The rehab was tough, but it worked. I am healthy, I am training at full intensity again, and I am starting to feel my groove come back every day.”
The proud owner of a 14-6 career record with 11 finishes, Zamboanga earned himself a following in the local circuit by capturing the URCC bantamweight crown.
He eventually made his way to ONE Championship, where he went 3-1, featuring a stunning rear-naked choke of Detchadin Sorsirisuphathin in August 2020 and a first-round TKO of Rahul Raju in February 2022.
After having experienced so many hurdles in his career, the founder of T-Rex MMA Training Center sees BRAVE CF as the platform for a true resurgence.
“This feels like a fresh start for me. BRAVE CF gives me the chance to reset, to prove myself again, and to rekindle my career in 2026. I believe my best performances are still ahead of me.”
