Denice Zamboanga retained her position as the top contender for Stamp Fairtex’s ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship by dominating Noelle Grandjean at ONE 167.
The three-round duel took place earlier this morning at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, and the Filipina’s performance left no doubt about her readiness for a shot at 26 pounds of gold.
“The Menace” set a relentless pace from the opening bell, immediately utilizing her superior boxing to dictate the matchup’s momentum.
Her right hand found its mark repeatedly, connecting with Grandjean’s head and establishing early lead.
Despite Grandjean’s efforts to halt the punishment by executing a well-timed judo throw, Zamboanga showcased her versatility and resilience by reversing the position and catching Grandjean’s back.
(C) ONE
Applying a body triangle, Zamboanga hunted for a rear-naked choke, nearly finishing the contest in the first round.
The second stanza saw the 27-year-old Quezon City resident continue her offensive onslaught. Undeterred by her French-Thai foe’s forward pressure, she remained composed, maintaining control of the stand-up exchanges.
Her striking accuracy and power were on full display as she landed punch after punch, showing little regard for Grandjean’s attempts to mount an effective counter-offense.
By the third round, the damage inflicted by Zamboanga was clearly visible on Grandjean’s face. However, this did not deter the No. 2-rated women’s atomweight MMA athlete from continuing her relentless attack.
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Zamboanga’s blistering combinations and high activity level kept Grandjean on the defensive, preventing her from mounting any significant threat.
The judges’ decision on the scorecards was a foregone conclusion, with Zamboanga cruising to a unanimous decision victory.
This win marked Zamboanga’s third consecutive victory, improving her professional record to 11-2.
On the other hand, Grandjean fell to 5-3.
