A confident Denice Zamboanga is entering the Circle unfazed as she faces South Korean rival Ham Seo Hee in their much-awaited atomweight rematch in ONE: X, ONE Championship' 10th-year anniversary event, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on March 26.
All thanks to her sparring partners in Marrok Force, especially her brother Drex, Denice had endured heavier striking in training compared to Ham's prowess.
READ: Zamboanga eager to prove self vs Ham
"'Yong chineck ko 'yong galaw niya 'yong last fight namin, hindi ako takot makipagsabayan sa kanya sa striking kasi alam kong kaya kong i-take 'yong mga suntok niya (When I reviewed our match, I wasn't afraid to brawl with her and I know I can take her punches)," said Zamboanga, who suffered her first career loss last September against Ham.
"Alam kong 'di ako mana-knock out which is ayon 'yong game plan niya -- ma-knock out ako. Hindi mangyayari] (She can't knock me out. That was her game plan but it won't happen)," added the Marrok Force stalwart.
READ: Zamboanga all set for rematch vs Korean rival
Without disclosing the specifics, Zamboanga looks to submit Ham and use her improved grappling and wrestling skills depending on the situation.
In their first clash, the 25-year-old Zamboanga leveled Ham's striking but the judges favored the Korean veteran with a split decision win -- a controversial call that made rounds on social media and the fight scene.
Both Zamboanga, 25, and Ham, 28, have not seen action since their first meeting.
Despite undergoing a formal review, the decision was upheld as Ham, now the No. 3 contender, advanced to the semifinal but later got injured and fell out of contention by default.
"Siguro dadalhin ko siya (Ham) sa kung ano talaga kahinaan niya which is 'yong ground. Kasi nakita ko na every time I took her down, hindi siya nagde-defense, lalo na sa open (I will try to put the match down the ground. That is one of her weaknesses because every time I took her down before, she won't defend especially in the open)," said the Filipina fighter.
Should Zamboanga win this bout, she is prepared for the possibilities to come such as a possible title match or a trilogy soon.
Meanwhile, Zamboanga is all eyes for the atomweight title bout, one of the main events in ONE: X, between reigning champion Angela Lee and top contender and ONE women's atomweight grand prix winner Stamp Fairtex.