ONE CHAMPIONSHIP

Denice Zamboanga wins close decision over Heqin, calls out Stamp Fairtex

Number three ONE women's atomweight Denice Zamboanga is back to her winning ways following a split decision nod over Lin Heqin on the undercard of ONE on Prime Video 5 this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Zamboanga went guns blazing in the opening round as she pushed the pace throwing hard right straights. Heqin then caught the Filipina with a left hook that brought her to a knee, but she quickly recovered and dictated the tempo again.

Zamboanga had Heqin bleeding from the side of her left eye from repeated right hands in round two. In round three, Heqin targeted the legs before momentarily stunning Zamboanga anew during an exchange.

The Filipina continued to push the pace until the final bell relying on her punches to finish strong. After three five-minute rounds, Zamboanga escaped with a close decision then called out her former teammate after.

"We worked on striking a lot when I moved to my brother's (Drex) gym. I have my interest on my closest friend Stamp [Fairtex]. If I beat her then I can take on the champion (Angela Lee)," Zamboanga said.

The win improved Zamboanga's mixed martial arts record to 9-2 while Heqin fell to 15-5-1.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News