Denice Zamboanga says jiu-jitsu and wrestling are her go-to: "That's where I have advantage"
Denice Zamboanga has spent time working on her overall MMA skillset and she's looking forward to showcasing that.
The Filipino contender has been away for some time and in that time, has put a lot of emphasis on her grappling game.
This would have been crucial in the fight that she was scheduled to compete in at ONE 167.
Zamboanga was set to headline the card with a main event clash for the ONE atomweight world championship against her former training partner, Stamp Fairtex.
With Stamp out of the fight due to a knee injury she sustained a couple of weeks ago, the No.2-ranked atomweight MMA contender will be staying on the card in hopes that she can cement her status as the number one contender and put all of her hard work to good use.
In a recent interview with the South China Morning Post, Denice Zamboanga spoke about her focus on grappling and the strides she has made in this area:
"I've worked a lot on my jiu-jitsu. I've worked a lot on my submissions now. And that has helped me improve my wrestling too. Because that's where I have advantage to over my opponents."
Watch the full interview below:
Denice Zamboanga wants to make a statement
Denice Zamboanga knows that it is a risk staying on the card at ONE 167 and taking on a new opponent.
She will be facing Noelle Grandjean in an atomweight MMA tie in what is a huge opportunity for Grandjean to take the spotlight for herself and steal away her opponent's momentum.
However, for Zamboanga, she wanted this opportunity to make a statement on June 7 and prove that she could not be overlooked.
Rather than waiting patiently for the world champion to return, Zamboanga is looking to get back in there and get another win under her belt.
A win and dominant performance will only help her case going forward.
ONE 167 will air live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, next Friday, June 7. North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription can catch the entire card live in U.S. primetime for free.