New mother Zamboanga vacates ONE atomweight title

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina mixed martial artist Denice Zamboanga has relinquished her ONE Atomweight MMA world championship as she enters a new chapter in her life.

Zamboanga has relinquished her title as she announced her first child with husband Fritz Biagtan.

“God has always had a beautiful plan for my life, and I trust His timing in everything. After much prayer and reflection, I have made the difficult decision to vacate my ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship,” Zamboanga wrote on social media Tuesday.

“This was not an easy choice, but I believe it is the right one for this season of my life and for the athletes in my division who continue to chase their dreams,” she added.

Zamboanga has a 12-2 professional record and is 7-2 in ONE Championship.

The Philippines’ first woman titleholder became the interim atomweight champion last year after defeating Ukraine's Alyona Rassohyna via second-round technical knockout.

Four months later, Zamboanga became the undisputed champion when Stamp Fairtex suffered a setback in her knee rehabilitation in May 2025 and relinquished the lineal belt.

The Filipina was supposed to defend her title against Japan's Ayaka “Zombie” Miura at ONE 173 last November at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, but medical concerns, which have since come to light as her pregnancy, forced her withdrawal.

Still, Zamboanga is not retiring as she vowed to return “when the time is right.”

"While I am stepping away from the title, I am not stepping away from the sport I love. Fighting has shaped who I am, and the warrior in me will always remain,” Zamboanga said.

"Right now, my heart and focus are devoted to the greatest blessing God has entrusted to me. This season is teaching me that there are victories beyond championship belts, and I am embracing every moment of it with gratitude. This is not the end of my story. It’s simply a new chapter.”