Filipina fighter Denice Zamboanga celebrates after winning the interim ONE MMA Atomweight World Title at ONE Fight Night 27, January 11, 2025 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. "The Menace" defeated Alyona Rassohyna via TKO to win the championship. Handout/ONE Championship

MANILA (UPDATED) -- After several stops and starts, Denice Zamboanga has finally reached the pinnacle in ONE Championship.

The Filipina star dominated Alyona Rassohyna on Saturday at ONE Fight Night 27 to capture the interim Atomweight MMA World Championship.

It was a star-making performance for "The Menace," who staved off Rassohyna's attempts to bring the fight to the ground and showcased her striking advantage all throughout. 

READ: Denice Zamboanga determined to finally seize the moment

The end for Rassohyna came towards the end of the second round, when Zamboanga unleashed a series of unanswered strikes that forced the referee to stop the bout with just seconds left in the frame.

The time of stoppage was 4:47 in Round 2, giving Zamboanga a TKO win in the co-main event of the card, held at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.  

"I've been here for years. I've made it through hard work, tears, and everything. I'm really speechless," a tearful 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," she added.

It was an emotional victory for the Filipina, who has seen a handful of title opportunities slip through her grasp due to unfortunate circumstances, including her own untimely injury last year that forced the postponement of her bout against Rassohyna.

When the fight finally pushed through, however, Zamboanga displayed the quality that has made her a title contender since 2020. 

Zamboanga dominated the striking exchanges, but it was her work on the mat that showcased just how far she has come as a fighter.

Against a submission specialist in Rassohyna, Zamboanga smartly defended takedown attempts, and transitioned to a controlling position whenever the Ukrainian managed to bring the fight to the mat. In the second round, Zamboanga evaded a leg lock attempt from Rassohyna before raining down punches and elbows that ultimately forced the stoppage.

With the win, Zamboanga has solidified her status as the top contender against Stamp Fairtex, the injured world champion whom she considers a close friend.

Stamp entered the ring after the bout not just to congratulate Zamboanga, but also to express her excitement for their upcoming title unification bout.

"Congratulations Philippines! I'm so excited to fight her in the ring. I'm ready to fight her," said the Thai star. 

Zamboanga wasn't the only Filipina to emerge triumphant in Bangkok.

On Friday, Islay Bomogao improved to 2-0 in her ONE Championship career, defeating Ran Longshu in a muay thai bout held at a catchweight of 101 pounds. 

The 24-year-old put on a Muay Thai 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. 

After three rounds, there was no questioning the decision as Bomogao got the nod from all three judges to continue her winning ways in the Friday Fights circuit.