MMA: Injured Zamboanga withdraws from interim title fight | ABS-CBN
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MMA: Injured Zamboanga withdraws from interim title fight
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 25, 2024 05:00 PM PHT
Filipina MMA fighter Denice Zamboanga. Handout/ONE Championship
Filipina MMA fighter Denice Zamboanga. Handout/ONE ChampionshipMANILA -- Denice Zamboanga's road to a world championship has hit another stumbling block.
MANILA -- Denice Zamboanga's road to a world championship has hit another stumbling block.
The Filipina mixed martial arts (MMA) star has been forced to withdraw from her upcoming match at ONE Fight Night 25 after suffering a hamstring injury during training a few days ago.
The Filipina mixed martial arts (MMA) star has been forced to withdraw from her upcoming match at ONE Fight Night 25 after suffering a hamstring injury during training a few days ago.
Zamboanga was set to take on Ukraine's Alyona Rassohyna in the co-main event on October 5 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, with the winner claiming the ONE Interim Atomweight MMA World Title.
Zamboanga was set to take on Ukraine's Alyona Rassohyna in the co-main event on October 5 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, with the winner claiming the ONE Interim Atomweight MMA World Title.
Unfortunately for Zamboanga, her chase for a world championship has once more been set back.
Unfortunately for Zamboanga, her chase for a world championship has once more been set back.
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"During one of my sparring sessions, I heard a loud snap, and I knew right away that something was seriously wrong," said Zamboanga. "It's heartbreaking, because I've been waiting for this opportunity for so long."
"During one of my sparring sessions, I heard a loud snap, and I knew right away that something was seriously wrong," said Zamboanga. "It's heartbreaking, because I've been waiting for this opportunity for so long."
This is already the fourth time that Zamboanga's opportunity to fight for a world title has been dashed.
This is already the fourth time that Zamboanga's opportunity to fight for a world title has been dashed.
As early as 2020, "The Menace" was on track to challenge then-atomweight queen Angela Lee. However, the COVID-19 pandemic halted those plans, and Lee's ensuing pregnancy compelled ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong to hold a Women’s World Grand Prix instead.
As early as 2020, "The Menace" was on track to challenge then-atomweight queen Angela Lee. However, the COVID-19 pandemic halted those plans, and Lee's ensuing pregnancy compelled ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong to hold a Women’s World Grand Prix instead.
Zamboanga went on to lose a controversial split-decision to Ham Seo Hee in the first round of the tournament.
Zamboanga went on to lose a controversial split-decision to Ham Seo Hee in the first round of the tournament.
She worked her way back into the title picture and set up a showdown with Stamp Fairtex for the lineal crown at ONE 166: Qatar in March. However, the clash was postponed to ONE 167 in June, only to be called off when Stamp tore her meniscus just two weeks before the bout.
She worked her way back into the title picture and set up a showdown with Stamp Fairtex for the lineal crown at ONE 166: Qatar in March. However, the clash was postponed to ONE 167 in June, only to be called off when Stamp tore her meniscus just two weeks before the bout.
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Showing her grit, Zamboanga still competed in the fight card, dominating Noelle "Lil Monkey" Grandjean for three rounds en route to a comfortable decision win that solidified her position as the frontrunner for the world title.
Showing her grit, Zamboanga still competed in the fight card, dominating Noelle "Lil Monkey" Grandjean for three rounds en route to a comfortable decision win that solidified her position as the frontrunner for the world title.
But while life has thrown her another curveball, Zamboanga remains confident.
But while life has thrown her another curveball, Zamboanga remains confident.
"I've faced challenges before, and I'll face them again. My dream of becoming a World Champion is still alive, and I won't stop until I achieve it," she vowed.
"I've faced challenges before, and I'll face them again. My dream of becoming a World Champion is still alive, and I won't stop until I achieve it," she vowed.
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