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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Chilean MMA coach sees bright future for Zamboanga siblings

Chilean MMA coach sees bright future for Zamboanga siblings

Published Mar 24, 2021 04:44 pm
drex denice zamboanga
Zamboanga siblings -- Drex and Denice -- of the Philippines (ONE Championship)

Mixed martial arts fighting coach William Marcelo Aranguiz Lubies has huge expectations for the Zamboanga siblings -- Denice and Drex -- given their rising career in ONE Championship.

For the Chilean mentor, the two have what it takes to become future world titleholders with their "championship mentality."

"Denice and Drex are some of the most humble and committed athletes, with a substantial focus on achieving their goal as professional fighters. They are both great team players," said Aranguiz, the director for MMA at Marrok Force in Bangkok, Thailand, where the Zamboanga siblings currently train.

Aranguiz added that Drex, 31, and Denice, 24, have always followed their program and never missed training sessions, two factors that are very commendable for the MMA coach.

Denice, the No. 1 atomweight contender, is currently preparing for the upcoming inaugural ONE women's atomweight world grand prix against South Korean veteran Seo Hee Ham in the first-round clash in ONE: Empower, a historic all-female card on May 28.

She last saw action in ONE: A New Breed last August with a first-round submission victory against Thai foe Watsapinya Kaewkhong.

Drex, meanwhile, is just on the waiting game since marking a successful ONE Championship debut with a second-round submission win over another Thai in Detchadin Sornsirisuphathin August in the same card.

READ: ‘Mas komportable ako sa bantamweight’: Zamboanga mulls scaling up from flyweight

Denice and Drex earlier expressed their desire to become the very first siblings to capture world titles for the Philippines, a feat similar to the Lee siblings -- Angela and Christian -- of Singapore's Evolve MMA.

And Aranguiz believes that their goal is very much likely to happen.

“My honest opinion is the sky’s the limit for them. They’ve already been through so much, that no matter how hard life hits them, they’ll still keep knocking down challenges, one at a time. I have no doubt they will become world champions," added the Marrok Force coach.

"As someone who has been in the game for over 10 years, I’ll be the first to say that there’s always something new to learn and improve on every day in the fight game. As part of the Marrok Force values, we are always looking for a way to improve ourselves dynamically in every aspect."

Related Tags

Drex Zamboanga Marrok Force William Marcelo Aranguiz Lubies Denice Zamboanga ONE Championship ONE
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