"There's no such thing as romance" - Denice Zamboanga on balancing love and professionalism with fiance-coach Fritz Biagtan
Second-ranked atomweight MMA contender Denice Zamboanga knows how to separate her professional career from her personal life.
However, things could be challenging at times considering Fritz Biagtan, her fiance and fellow ONE Championship fighter, just happens to be her coach.
In a recent interview with ONE, Zamboanga said it's strictly business behind closed doors when she trains with Biagtan at T-Rex MMA.
'The Menace' shared:
"There's no such thing as romance during training sessions. We're focused on getting better, and we're focused on the task at hand."
Moreover, the Filipina athlete said she goes hard at her other half during their intense sparring sessions. When the job's finished, they go home and act like any other couple. Zamboanga added:
"I hit him hard and I don't hold back. I know he can take it. We take things seriously during training sessions, and all that personal stuff can wait after training."
The fighting couple has indeed been putting work ahead of Denice Zamboanga's return to Circle at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs Natatwut on Prime Video on June 7.
Originally scheduled to challenge Stamp Fairtex for her atomweight MMA crown, the 27-year-old will now trade fists with injury replacement Noelle Grandjean at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Denice Zamboanga ready to exploit Noelle Grandjean's weakness
Despite the sudden change of opponent, Denice Zamboanga remains confident that she'll still get her hand raised in less than two weeks.
The T-Rex MMA representative took notes on Grandjean's latest setback against Chihiro Sawada and found some cracks in her armor.
'The Menace' told the South China Morning Post:
"I actually didn't change a lot with my training but the game plan is not that different because I saw her last fight and her recent fight. I saw her opponent dominate her in wrestling and that's my advantage. I think I could use my wrestling to dominate her."
ONE 167 will air live on US Primetime free of charge for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Watch the full interview: