Denice Zamboanga has been on a tear in ONE Championship, racking up wins left and right to secure a ONE Atomweight World Championship title shot.
But with Angela Lee announcing her pregnancy, the standout from Evolve MMA will be out for the foreseeable future.
Zamboanga, who is just 23 years young, still expressed her delight for the next chapter in Lee’s life.
“I’m happy for her because motherhood is a great experience for every woman,” Zamboanga, who is now training under Marrok Force, told SCMP MMA.
“Just excited for her.”
However, this also turns the atomweight division into a free-for-all.
To restore order, ONE Chairman Chatri Sityodtong recently announced that a Grand Prix will take place early 2021.
Despite the risks a tournament brings, Zamboanga has put her name in the tournament.
“I am happy to take part in the Atomweight Grand Prix Tournament,” she said.
Besides the honor of being the last woman standing, the tournament will also crown a new Atomweight World Champion.
Listed in the top five of the division is a murderer’s row of athletes, including Meng Bo, Lin Heqin, Mei Yamaguchi, and Stamp Fairtex.
For Zamboanga, this tournament will be the perfect showcase of how much women’s mixed martial arts has evolved.
“It’s gonna be great to have a Grand Prix. It will be great to have a tournament like this but it’s going to be tough.”
