ONE 167 results: Denice Zamboanga vs. Noelle Grandjean
Riding into the sold-out Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on a two-fight win streak, Denice Zamboanga sought a third-straight victory inside the Circle against short-notice replacement opponent Noelle Grandjean.
Coming up short against Japanese sensation Chihiro Sawada at ONE Fight Night 22 last month, Grandjean jumped right back into the fire at ONE 167 determined to climb back into the win column against one of the toughest atomweights in MMA.
Round 1: Zamboanga comes out looking to establish her jab from the get-go. Grandjean offers a calf kick and Zamboanga responds with a right hand. Zamboanga takes control of the center of the Circle and is finding success with her jab and Grandjean struggles to find the mark.
Grandjean lands a nice right hand before scoring a nice outside trip that temporarily puts Zamboanga on the mat. Zamboanga pops right back up and scores a takedown of her two near the three-minute mark of the round. Zamboanga works her way around to the back of Grandjean. Zamboanga peppers her opponent with some strikes, looking to soften her up and slip her arm under Grandjean's chin.
As Grandjean attempts to escape, Zamboanga transitions to a body lock. With the clock running down, Zamboanga locks in a neck crank, but Grandjean rides out the position and escapes the opening round.
Round 2: Zamboanga lands a good right hand to open the round. Grandjean attempts to fire back, but is struggling with the reach advantage of her opponent. Zamboanga throws a high kick that is easily blocked. Grandjean rushes in, pushing Zamboanga against the cage wall and throwing a flurry of strikes. Zamboanga circles away and looks to throw a 1-2 combination that Grandjean counters with a solid right hand.
Zamboanga is finding her range, peppering Grandjean with strikes up top followed by a rip to the body. Grandjean throws a combination in response but hits nothing, but air. Zamboanga connects with a right hand. Grandjean lands a nice leg kick and is finding some success by interrupting Zamboanga's rhythm.
Grandjean closes the distance and looks to land a trip in close, but Zamboanga breaks away and lands a left hand. Grandjean pours it on in the closing seconds, but Zamboanga avoids taking any damage from the late-round onslaught.
Round 3: Grandjean moves forward and looks to land early, but the jabs of Zamboanga keep her at bay. Zamboanga lands a nasty right hand that connects and Grandjean is really starting to show the damage on her face. Undeterred, Grandjean keeps moving forward, but all that's waiting for her is more punishment from Zamboanga.
Near the halfway point of the final round, Grandjean is cut open near her right eye and is starting to show some serious swelling. Grandjean pushes Zamboanga to the fence and attempts to clinch, but Zamboanga quickly breaks the grip and circles away. Zamboanga lands a 1-2 followed by a straight right.
As we get into the final minute, Zamboanga is throwing a variety of strikes, landing to the head and the body of her opponent. Grandjean presses forward looking to land anything, but Zamboanga stays on her bicycle until the final bell sounds.
ONE 167 - Denice Zamboanga vs. Noelle Grandjean official result
Securing her third-straight victory, Denice Zamboanga has further established herself as the next fighter in line for Stamp Fairtex's ONE atomweight MMA world champion. Meanwhile, Grandjean has lost three of her last four inside the Circle.
Denice Zamboanga defeated Noelle Grandjean via unanimous decision (MMA - atomweight)