ONE fighter Denice Zamboanga. ONE Championship photo
MANILA, Philippines—Denice Zamboanga will finally get her crack at the ONE atomweight world title at ONE 166: Qatar on March 1 at Lusail Sports.
Zamboanga, who is on a roll with back-to-back wins, earned her shot at the strap against close friend and reigning champion Stamp Fairtex of Thailand.
“I feel like I’m more prepared for this moment,” said Zamboanga in Filipino.
“I feel like it’s God’s will and purpose that my world title shot was delayed. This time, it will really be for me.”
Zamboanga was once the top-ranked atomweight back in February 2020 and was in line for a title bout against then-champion Angela Lee. But the pandemic happened and later that same year Lee announced her pregnancy which paved the way for ONE chair Chatri Sityodtong to create a Grand Prix tournament in the division.
In the Grand Prix held in 2021, Zamboanga lost a highly disputed decision to Ham Seo Hee. The two fought again the following year, with Ham claiming a convincing victory.
The 27-year-old Zamboanga (10-2) has won two in a row since, beating Lin Heqin in December 2022 and Julie Mezabarba at ONE Fight Night 9 last April.
Like Zamboanga, Fairtex (11-2) is also riding a streak having won her last four bouts including a third-round stoppage of Ham four months ago for the atomweight crown not long after Lee vacated the title following her retirement. Fairtex, who ruled the Grand Prix, has not lost since suffering a submission defeat to Lee in March 2022.
Zamboanga is the second Filipino fighter confirmed for ONE 166: Qatar with the other being former champion Joshua Pacio, who challenges strawweight king Jarred Brooks in a rematch.