Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga loves her some holiday feasts, but this year she’ll have to put aside the celebrations with her family in the Philippines for something more urgent.
Come Christmastime, Zamboanga will be nearing the end of her training camp for her ONE Interim Atomweight MMA World Title match against Alyonna Rassohyna at ONE Fight Night 27 on January 11, 2025, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
That said, she wants to dish out some payback to Rassohyna for messing with her holiday plans.
“Of course, we all know that because of my training camp, I’m gonna miss the holiday festivities, from Christmas to New Year’s celebrations. I can’t eat that much, so of course I want to start the year by celebrating. This year, I wish to start stronger,” Zamboanga said.
“Maybe I’ll just vent my frustration on not being able to eat a lot and celebrate during the holidays [on] her,” she added in jest.
Those festivities can wait, especially since the payoff could be two-fold. Not only is she competing for the interim title, but she is also turning 28 three days after the fight.
With her fiance Fritz Biagtan ending the year with a win, it’s up to Zamboanga to start 2025 off right for the Philippine MMA power couple – and nothing would feel more right than getting her hands on ONE Championship gold.
“It’s going to be a big deal for me if I start the year with a win. I’m also gonna be celebrating my birthday this January as well, so I truly want to celebrate my birthday with a World Title,” she said.
That’s why she’s pushing hard now, as she expects a finish come fight night.
“I’m confident that I’ll get to finish her wherever it goes,” Zamboanga said, “whether it be on the feet or on the ground.”
