Zamboanga makes history, grabs MMA world title

Denice Zamboanga can now officially call herself a world champion.

Zamboanga put on a masterful performance to stop Alyona Rassohyna of Ukraine and emerge as the first Filipina to win a mixed martial arts (MMA) world title in the interim women’s atomweight division of the ONE Fight Night 27 on Saturday at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.

In doing so, the 27-year-old Zamboanga also took home a $50,000 cash bonus while ending years of heartbreaks and disappointment with easily the best performance of her career following an impressive stoppage in the 4:47 mark of the second round.

“I’ve been here for years. I’ve made it through hard work, tears and everything. I’m really speechless.” Zamboanga said after the match.

“The delays and injuries, I’ve been through a lot of injuries. Just last week I couldn’t even move my left arm but I didn’t want to cancel this fight because I know God will give me this fight.”

As expected, Zamboanga dominated the striking game by keeping the Ukrainian at bay with her hands, with the Filipina being quicker to the punch each time they traded blows on the feet

But it was Zamboanga’s groundwork that truly made her the better fighter in the match.

The T-Rex MMA standout defended the submission specialist’s takedowns easily while finding her way to a dominant position in the instances they hit the ground.

And it was in the same position where Zamboanga finally got the stoppage.

After escaping a desperate leg lock attempt from Rassohyna, Zamboanga found herself on top once more and rained down punches and elbows from side control to seal the victory.

Immediately after the match, Zamboanga’s good friend and now biggest rival in ONE women’s atomweight MMA world champion Stamp Fairtex congratulated her for the win, and shared how she’s getting close to returning.

“Congratulations Philippines! I’m so excited to fight her in the ring. I’m ready to fight her,” Stamp said.

Meanwhile, former Southeast Asian Games champion Islay Erika Bomogao stays unbeaten in the ONE Friday Fights 93.

Bomogao, a former muay thai fighter, booked her second win in as many fights when she dominated Ran Longshu and took a comfortable unanimous decision win.

The 24-year-old put on a clinic as her attack varied from punches, elbows, knees and kicks — with that teep being used to perfection to combat the ultra-aggressive Chinese standout.

Bomogao was slick on her attack as she dazzled Lumpinee by going in and out seamlessly and connecting against Ran pretty much whenever she wanted to.