"It's been a long, long journey" - Denice Zamboanga eager to finally fight for ONE gold at ONE Fight Night 27

Second-ranked ONE women's atomweight MMA competitor Denice Zamboanga feels relieved that she will finally be competing for 26 pounds of ONE Championship gold at ONE Fight Night 27 on Jan. 10, 2025.

In an interview with The MMA Superfan, 'The Menace' recounted her journey towards the gold, which was supposed to happen four years ago:

"Actually, I was slated to fight for the belt I think at the end of 2020, and now it's already 2025. So it's been a long, long journey. Since 2020, I've been in the ranks. When I saw the rankings in 2020, the ones that were with me were constantly changing. So, I'm so thankful that after all these years in my MMA journey, I'm still among the top-ranked."

The Filipina MMA superstar cemented her opportunity at the ONE women's atomweight MMA world championship by defeating former world title challenger Mei Yamaguchi at ONE: King of the Jungle in February 2020.

However, Zamboanga's world title tilt with then-reigning Angela Lee was postponed after the latter announced her pregnancy.

Zamboanga was set to challenge current women's atomweight MMA queen Stamp Fairtex this past June at ONE 167. But, Stamp ultimately pulled out after tearing the meniscus in her left knee a few weeks away from the event.

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Who will Denice Zamboanga face at ONE Fight Night 27?

Denice Zamboanga's world title bout at ONE Fight Night 27 inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, will be for the ONE interim women's atomweight MMA world championship.

Her opponent will be the fourth-ranked ONE women's atomweight MMA contender Alyona Rassohyna. She debuted in ONE with a third-round submission of Stamp in February 2021.

The 27-year-old must be the greatest version of herself yet if she hopes to win the interim crown over the dangerous grappler and further solidify her shot at the undisputed crown.