Confident Denice Zamboanga Plans to Overpower Stamp Fairtex With Her Superior Grappling – “I’m Prepared for Her”

Denice Zamboanga is heading into the biggest fight of her career with a clear plan on how she’ll pick up the win.

On Friday, June 7, “The Menace” will challenge her friend and former training partner Stamp Fairtex for the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship in the main event of ONE 167 inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Denice Zamboanga reveals her ace to use against Stamp Fairtex

During their time together at the famed Fairtex Training Center, Zamboanga was one of the people who helped Stamp hone her ground skills. As such, the Filipina has a good idea of what her upcoming opponent can do, and she plans to use it against her when they clash.  

“I believe I can utilize my ground game as my advantage because I don’t think she can stop it. Ever since we started training together [at Fairtex], I’ve always been more knowledgeable in grappling, and I feel I can use that against her in this match,” Zamboanga told ONE in an interview.

To date, the #2-ranked atomweight has one win via submission, with four others coming by decision. That said, she utilized her grappling in all of those bouts, leaving her feared in the division for her prowess.

Zamboanga has been levelling up 

Zamboanga will look to implement the same skill against Stamp, though she recognizes that her World Champion foe could take control with her striking, given that she is a former Muay Thai and kickboxing queen.

To get ready for this, “The Menace” has been developing her own stand-up game.

“Of course, her advantage will be her striking. No surprise there. She has beautiful striking, and we all know about that. However, I’m prepared for her. I just can’t rely on my ground game in this match,” Zamboanga said.

“To get the match to the ground, I have to strike with her first, and that’s why I’m sharpening my striking for this match because I really have to get it to the ground.”