ONE Championship: Denice Zamboanga calls for a shot at an interim atomweight MMA title
- The Filipina, who won her latest challenge, says she is tired of waiting for a chance at a belt as the champion recovers from surgery
Denice Zamboanga has done a lot of waiting. She has been on the cusp of securing an atomweight title shot since 2019 and underlined her credentials as the No 1 contender in the division with a decision win over Noelle Grandjean at ONE 167 last Saturday.
Zamboanga knows she will have to wait even longer to fight for the title because champion Stamp Fairtex recently underwent knee surgery. The Filipina wants that fight but she does not want to sit on the sidelines waiting for the Thai fighter to recover.
Zamboanga told the Post she thinks ONE Championship should introduce an interim belt while Stamp is out of action.
“I think I deserve to fight for an interim belt because I’ve been waiting for this so long – I was ready five years ago and was supposed to fight the champion. I think I deserve an interim belt.”
Zamboanga has made a compelling case for herself by winning three fights in a row. The only other contender in the division who has shown that type of form is Chihiro Sawada and the Japanese wrestler is definitely on her radar.
Seo Hee Ham, who has beaten Zamboanga twice, is also in the mix, but the Filipina has eyes only for Sawada.
“I like the style of Sawada because it’s new to me and I’ve never fought a pure wrestler.”
