5 fighters Denice Zamboanga should fight next

There was plenty of controversy afoot following Denice Zamboanga’s split decision loss to Ham Seo Hee in September at ONE: Empower.

While the fight was reviewed by ONE Championship’s competition committee, the result was upheld. The judges’ decision was contested by fans and media, sparking debates on behalf of Denice Zamboanga and Ham Seo Hee. Much of that discourse continues, with the mixed martial arts community seeking clarity.

Denice Zamboanga remains the division’s No. 1 ranked contender despite the loss. This says a lot about the Filipina’s performance against the dangerous veteran.

Now, at just 24-years-old, Zamboanga looks towards the future with a medley of suitors for her next potential opponent. With the atomweight division more stacked than ever, she will need to earn her way back into the win column.

There’s no doubt Zamboanga is capable of such, especially with what she has shown so far in her career. The rising star's next choice of opponent, though, is her most important.

That said, here are five names Denice Zamboanga should fight next.

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#5. Denice Zamboanga in a rematch with Seo Hee Ham

This one is a no-brainer, right? Seo Hee Ham defeated Denice Zamboanga via split decision in the first round of the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix, and was already scheduled to take on Stamp Fairtex in the semifinal round.

However, an injury suffered in training forced Ham out of the tournament, and she’s now left to watch the competition, just like Denice Zamboanga.

As unfortunate as Ham’s injury is, it does open the door for a high-profile rematch with Zamboanga. The matchup makes sense for all parties involved, too.

Denice Zamboanga would receive an opportunity to avenge her first and only loss as a professional mixed martial artist. It would also be a chance to make a statement in the division, instantly re-inserting her into the title conversation should she win.

For No. 3-ranked Ham, it's an opportunity to re-endear herself to ONE Championship fans and possibly swap rankings with Zamboanga. A win would provide the same for Ham as it would her adversary – an instant jolt towards the front of the atomweight contenders’ queue.

Lastly, for ONE, this fight is a prime chance to clarify the pair's recent controversial meeting.

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#4. Denice Zamboanga vs. Alyona Rassohyna

Ukraine’s Alyona Rassohyna suffered a similar fate to Denice Zamboanga – elimination from the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix in the quarterfinal round. Should she take on Zamboanga next, the 31-year-old Rassohyna would have a notable grappling edge with 11 submission victories under her belt.

Conversely, Denice Zamboanga would enjoy a standup advantage.

Despite Rassohyna not being ranked among the atomweight division’s top five, she is regarded among the division's most dangerous athletes. However, she has struggled against decorated strikers in the past, having difficulties getting the fight to the ground in order to set up her slick submission game.

The matchup is winnable for either fighter and would be a perfect way to re-insert one of the two back into the win column.

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#3. Denice Zamboanga vs. Meng Bo

Similar to Rassohyna, Meng Bo was also sent packing in the quarterfinal round of the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix. Even with this in mind, fighting Meng is a completely different puzzle to solve.

While a bout between Zamboanga and Rassohyna would provide the classic striker-versus-grappler dynamic, taking on Meng would mean the Filipina athlete fights fire with fire.

Currently slated as the division’s No. 5-ranked contender, Meng has quickly become one of the most feared strikers in all of women’s mixed martial arts. The Chinese athlete holds a 3-1 record in ONE Championship, with two of those wins coming via knockout. She seamlessly adapted her boxing to the Circle, showing off powerful ground-and-pound in her victory over Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol last November.

Denice Zamboanga versus Meng Bo is arguably the most fan-friendly matchup on this list, all but guaranteeing fireworks from start to finish.

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#2. Denice Zamboanga vs. Julie Mezabarba

Denice Zamboanga versus Julie Mezabarba would provide fans with an interesting style contrast. The Filipina warrior provides the perfect complement for Mezabarba, who was also eliminated from the Grand Prix.

Interestingly enough, Zamboanga taking on Mezabarba shakes out with a striker-versus-striker dynamic. Both come from standup fighting backgrounds, with Mezabarba featuring a base in kickboxing while Denice Zamboanga's specialty is Muay Thai and wrestling.

No matter which way you slice it, a fight with Zamboanga and Mezabarba would be an adrenaline fan’s delight, and a chance to re-insert a young contender into the division’s elite.

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#1. Denice Zamboanga vs. Angela Lee

Listen, it may not make much sense right now, with the Filipina coming off a loss, but a fight between Angela Lee and Denice Zamboanga is guaranteed to deliver. After all, a win for the fans is a win for mixed martial arts.

Lee, the atomweight division’s queen, has been sidelined since late 2019, partly due to pandemic challenges, but largely because of her pregnancy, which she announced in mid-2020. Lee has since given birth to daughter Ava Marie, and is reportedly back in the gym, working herself into fight shape.

During Lee's absence Zamboanga signed with ONE Championship, won three of her first four bouts, and earned the top contender spot in the atomweight division. The issue: Denice Zamboanga is coming off her only loss, making a title shot a tough sell.

That won't stop fans from hypothesizing.

Lee has hardly ever been in a boring fight, with eight of her ten wins coming by submission. Zamboanga, meanwhile, lacks the number of finishes boasted by Lee but possesses an exciting karate-based style conducive to action-packed rounds.

Even though the fight doesn’t make the most sense on paper, it’s undeniable that Denice Zamboanga versus Angela Lee would be anything less than fireworks.