We have a Filipina world champion and three-time and current One Championship strawweight world title-holder and Benguet fighter Joshua ‘The Passion’ Pacio is so jubilant as he celebrates his female compatriot’s milestone in mixed martial arts.
Pacio couldn’t hide his pride witnessing Quezon City’s Denice ‘The Menace’ Zamboanga make history for the country by becoming the ONE strawweight MMA world champion and the nation’s first female MMA world titlist.
Pacio is set to challenges Yuya ‘Little Piranha’ Wakamatsu for the ONE flyweight MMA world title at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri this November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan to seek two-division supremacy while 29-year-old Zamboanga makes her first atomweight title defense on the same card.
Zamboanga’s path to glory has tested her mettle repeatedly even as unfortunate injuries derailed her momentum with the postponement of title bouts, forcing the Quezon City lass to extended waits for opportunities that seemed elusive.
But her breakthrough finally arrived this year in January when she outfought Ukrainian fighter Alyona Rassohyna to grab the interim atomweight crown. This was followed by Stamp Fairtex or Nadthawan Panthong of Thailand’s subsequent title relinquishment which elevated Zamboanga to undisputed status, cementing her place in Philippine MMA history.
“Zamboanga’s achievement (has) broke(n) down barriers in a male-dominated sport while inspiring future generations of Filipino female fighters to pursue their dreams,” Pacio enthused to describe his compatriot’s journey to world recognition.
The Lions Nation MMA representative sees broader implications beyond individual accomplishment in Zamboanga’s triumph, citing that Philippine MMA lacks female representation at elite levels, making Zamboanga’s success particularly meaningful for the sport’s growth.
“I was really happy when she got promoted to undisputed World Champion because it was a long time coming. God’s timing is always perfect. She’s a World Champion now, a female World Champion at that. Guys aren’t the only ones capable of it, of course. Female Filipino fighters can also win gold in ONE Championship,” he asserted.
“Honestly, that’s what we lack here in the Philippines. We don’t have a lot of female fighters. So, I’m really happy because there’s now a female MMA World Champion in ONE Championship. It’s a big motivation to other female athletes who are looking to capture a ONE World Title,” he ended saying.