Top-ranked female atomweight Denice Zamboanga recognized veteran South Korean foe Seo Hee Ham as her "strongest" opponent so far since kicking off her professional mixed martial arts career in 2017.
The Filipina warrior is set to overcome that hurdle when she enters the Circle with Seo at the historic all-female card in ONE: Empower on Friday, Sep. 3 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
"She’s the strongest, I think the strongest in the card, the strongest opponent that I'll be facing throughout my career, so I think this would be a hard fight for the both of us," said Zamboanga during a recent media availability.
Zamboanga, not disclosing much of her gameplans, said fans should tune in for ONE: Empower and vowed to unleash a "surprise" against Seo.
Zamboanga, currently ranked No. 1 in the atomweight division, holds a perfect 8-0 record including three promotional wins against Jihin Radzuan, Watsapinya Kaewkhong, and seasoned Japanese fighter Mei Yamaguchi since joining ONE in 2019.
The 24-year-old Marrok Force athlete has been holed up training in Thailand in preparation for the inaugural tournament in the women's division and was involved in an exchange of words with fellow fighters like atomweight queen Angela Lee and No. 2 Meng Bo, who will also face Indian rising star Ritu Phogat in the first round.
For Zamboanga, there's no better way to prove her worth and to silence the doubters by winning the grand prix title and challenge Lee to a world title bout.
Whoever emerges the winner in the tournament gets a direct shot at the title against Lee as announced by ONE chief Chatri Sityodtong earlier.
"I think the champ needs to relax and stay calm and she’s going to see, I’m going to prove her wrong," said Zamboanga of Lee, who favored the South Korean fighter.
"You know, having to describe it, I’m most grateful that (being No. 1 entering the tournament) happened to me because I'm going to fight with the best fighters in the world like all the great fighters, all the female fighters are fighting to get the atomweight title, so I think I need to win this Grand Prix to fight Angela Lee."
The 34-year-old Seo, for her part, is banking on a 23-8 record with her experience from Rizin Fighting Federation, where she reigned supreme as the atomweight champion, Road FC, and UFC Fight Night, among others.