- Ayaka Miura faces Denice Zamboanga for the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title at ONE 173
- The event will happen at Tokyo’s iconic Ariake Arena on November 16, 2025
- "For me, this is finally the chance to face someone I’ve always wanted to fight," said 34-year-old Japanese
After falling short in her first World Championship opportunity three years ago, Ayaka “Zombie” Miura now finds herself on the cusp of glory in front of her home crowd.
The Japanese MMA sensation will challenge Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga for the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside Tokyo’s iconic Ariake Arena on Sunday, November 16.
For the 34-year-old, who has aced all her assignments at atomweight, this opportunity represents far more than just another World Title shot – it’s her chance to complete a remarkable comeback story in search of her first taste of the coveted gold.
Miura told onefc.com:
“For me, this is finally the chance to face someone I’ve always wanted to fight.
“I was happy when Chatri [Sityodtong] himself told me about the match. And to have this opportunity in Japan, my home country, means a lot.”
Miura’s path to the belt has been nothing short of spectacular.
After a solid run at strawweight, where she put together a valiant effort against ONE Women’s Strawweight MMA World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan at ONE: Heavy Hitters in 2022, “Zombie” has compiled a flawless run in the 115-pound weight class.
The third-degree judo black belt is now on a fight-five winning streak, with four wins coming via submission.
With everything she’s worked for within reach, the Tribe Tokyo MMA representative says the timing and location of this World Title opportunity is more than mere happenstance:
“I believe the fact that I was given this title shot in Japan means it’s my time to win.
“I used to think the location didn’t matter, but now that I’ve been given this chance in Japan, I truly feel this is the moment I’m meant to take the belt.”
Indeed, redemption has never felt closer for Miura. But while she has one eye on a career-defining triumph in Tokyo, “Zombie” isn’t taking someone of Zamboanga’s caliber lightly.
Zamboanga claimed the interim strap with a dominant finish of Alyona Rassohyna at ONE Fight Night 27 this past January. The 28-year-old was then elevated to undisputed titleholder this past May after former queen Stamp Fairtex relinquished her crown.
Miura has done her homework on Zamboanga and she is thoroughly impressed by what she’s seen from the Filipino’s recent performances.
The Japanese star offered:
“At first, I thought she was mainly a grappler, but in recent fights, her striking has really improved. Now I see her as a complete all-rounder. She also looks physically very strong.”
Despite the high praise for “The Menace,” Miura isn’t going to let anything get in the way of her leaving Tokyo as a ONE World Champion.
The architect of one of the slickest submission moves in MMA today, a scarf-hold Americana fondly known by fans as the “Ayaka Lock,” Miura has her sights set on adding Zamboanga’s name to her growing list of victims.
But even if the submission never materializes, she’ll be happy to dance with the defending champion for five full rounds at ONE 173.
Miura concluded:
“My finish rate is high, so I want to win in a decisive way. It’s a five-round fight, and I’m prepared to win no matter how messy or chaotic it gets. I’ll be ready for anything during this final stretch of training.”
The magnitude of competing for a World Championship in front of her home crowd isn’t lost on Ayaka Miura, who understands the rarity of such an opportunity.
“Zombie” knows that thousands of Japanese fans will be watching her every move on November 16, and she’s determined to deliver a performance that will make her entire country proud.
The emotional weight of the moment, however, has added extra motivation to her training camp, as she prepares for the most important fight of her career:
“Thank you to everyone who’s supported me all this time. I’ve finally made it to a title match. To be able to fight for the belt in Japan is such a joy. I’m going to win – no matter what – and finish this with a smile.”