- Denice Zamboanga beat Alyona Rassohyna to become the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight MMA World champion in January 2025
- The Filipino was then elevated to undisputed status after Stamp Fairtex relinquished her belt in May
- Joshua Pacio, the undisputed ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion, faces Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE 173 on November 16
Undisputed ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio beams with pride to see just how far his compatriot Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga has come.
The Filipino superstar witnessed Zamboanga’s rocky journey, which was filled with trials, tribulations, and circumstances beyond her control. From unfortunate injuries to postponed World Title bouts, the 28-year-old endured hardships and patiently waited for her moment to shine.
After overcoming the odds, Zamboanga can now proudly call herself the Philippines’ first female MMA World Champion.
She captured the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title with a commanding victory over Alyona Rassohyna this past January, and she was elevated to undisputed status after Stamp Fairtex relinquished her belt in May.
According to Pacio, this life-changing breakthrough couldn’t have happened to a better person:
“I was really happy when she got promoted to undisputed World Champion because it was a long time coming. God’s timing is always perfect. She’s a World Champion now, a female World Champion at that. Guys aren’t the only ones capable of it, of course. Female Filipino fighters can also win gold in ONE Championship.”
Zamboanga’s career-defining moment has also broken down barriers in the Philippines’ MMA landscape.
By becoming the first woman from his country to win ONE Championship gold, Pacio believes it will inspire more females to pursue the sport and follow in “The Menace’s” footsteps.
He added:
“Honestly, that’s what we lack here in the Philippines. We don’t have a lot of female fighters. So, I’m really happy because there’s now a female MMA World Champion in ONE Championship. It’s a big motivation to other female athletes who are looking to capture a ONE World Title.”
Meanwhile, both Pacio and Zamboanga will carry the Philippine flag when they travel to Tokyo, Japan, to compete in high-stakes bouts at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on November 16.
That evening, the strawweight MMA king will seek two-division supremacy when he goes up a weight class to challenge ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu at Ariake Arena.
Zamboanga is also scheduled for action, as she’ll make her first World Title defense against hometown hero Ayaka “Zombie” Miura on the same card.
For the Lions Nation MMA representative, this monumental event holds a lot of weight for the torchbearers of the Philippine MMA scene.
With interest in the sport at an all-time high, Pacio wants to continue winning and influencing his compatriots.
“The Passion” said:
“I think we’re in the peak of our careers right now, me and Denice. And after five years, we don’t know what will happen. Maybe we’ll see new talents rise.
“I’m really happy because the era of Filipino World Champions doesn’t stop. I’m just so happy because MMA is once again surging in the Philippines. Now, we have two World Champions from different teams.”
Joshua Pacio believes the buck won’t stop with him and Denice Zamboanga.
The Cordillera-based fighter remains optimistic that the Philippines could soon return to its former glory, as there were multiple athletes wearing ONE Championship gold nearly seven years ago.
Pacio said:
“In 2018, we had four or five World Champions. Now, we have two. After three to four years, I wonder what will happen. I hope it doesn’t end, I hope the Philippines continues to produce World Champions in MMA.”
With several rising stars already waiting in the wings, Pacio believes the country’s future is in good hands.
The 29-year-old gave his stamp of approval to promising studs Jayson “Dumagmang Warrior” Miralpez and Marwin “Green Goblin” Quirante, who are both making waves in the ONE Friday Fights event series.
“The Passion” offered:
“If they continue to develop, Jayson Miralpez and Marwin Quirante have the potential. When I was 19 to 23 years old, I wasn’t as good as them. So, if they just continue to work, they’ll reach a new level.”
Also, Pacio sees a bright future for his former teammate, Jhanlo Mark Sangiao.
The Team Lakay prince made a triumphant return at ONE Fight Night 33 last month, notching a scintillating submission victory over Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg.
“We trained with him before when he was younger. If he continues to work, and doesn’t think about any distractions, he’ll be a World Champion.”