Filipina cops world title belt in ONE Fight Night 27

Sports

IT DIDN’T take long for the Philippines to have a world champion this year as Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga defeated fourth-ranked Alyona Rassohyna of Ukraine to snatch the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship on Saturday, January 11, at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Zamboanga, seeing action in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 27, did not only bring home the prestigious belt but also pocketed a whopping $50,000 (roughly P2.85 million) cash purse.

Zamboanga finished off Rassohyna with a flurry of punches and elbows from side control to seal the stoppage win at 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 told Mitch Chilson 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,” the 28-year-old Zamboanga added.

Zamboanga dedicated the tempo of the match with her busy hands.

The Quezon City native Zamboanga also impressed with her groundwork, foiling the submission specialist’s takedowns easily and finding dominant position in several times that they hit the canvas.

Rassohyna attempted a leg lock but Zamboanga exquisitely avoided it and found herself on top. She then peppered her opponent with vicious blows that prompted the referee to step in and call a halt to the fight.

Another Filipina also shone bright in the card as Muay Thai star Islay Erika Bomogao bagged her second win in as many fights by scoring a unanimous decision win over China’s Ran Longsh.(CCM)