Filipina MMA phenom Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga is just one week away from her highly anticipated atomweight showdown with Julie Mezabarba at ONE Fight Night 9: Nong-O vs. Haggerty on Prime Video.
Scheduled for April 21 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, the bout is another opportunity for the 26-year-old to showcase her prodigious skills and natural athleticism to ONE’s global fan base.
Moreover, it will be a chance for the #3-ranked atomweight MMA contender to cement her status among the elite and remain a key player in the division’s World Title picture.
Ahead of her pivotal clash in U.S. primetime, we look at Zamboanga’s three most feared weapons.
#1 A Right Hand Cannon
“The Menace” is a true all-around threat, but over the course of her six-fight ONE career, she’s done the most consistent damage with her punishing right hand.
Typically set up behind her flicking jab, the strike finds its mark more often than not – whether it’s thrown straight down the middle to split her opponent’s guard, or over the top to land on the temple.
Look for the Filipina to throw her punishing right hand early and often as she racks up damage and sets up her other attacks.
#2 Top-End Wrestling
Much more than just a brawler, the talented atomweight possesses an ability to bring the fight to the mat at a moment’s notice.
In her controversial split-decision loss to South Korean superstar Ham Seo Hee, for example, Zamboanga displayed a gritty, smothering wrestling attack, as well as an explosive double-leg takedown.
And in victories over Mei Yamaguchi and Lin Heqin, “The Menace” scored pivotal takedowns, completely changing the dynamics of those matchups in her favor.
#3 Vicious Clinch Strikes
As further proof of her versatility, Zamboanga is a skilled and dangerous clinch striker.
A superb athlete, she has no problem pinning opponents against the Circle Wall, where she can unload concussive elbows to the jaw or rib-crunching knees to the body.
Simply put, Zamboanga is an MMA fighter with no glaring weaknesses, capable of going back and forth with the best atomweights in the world from any range of combat.
