By:  | April 22, 2023 9:38 am

Denice Zamboanga scored a unanimous decision win over Julie Mezabarba in Bangkok this morning. It is now back to back victories for the #3 ranked atomweight who controlled the action from start to finish at ONE Fight Night 9.

Zamboanga was billed as the grappler heading into this fight but her boxing was on point and she started landing straight right hands against the Brazilian southpaw right from the bell, It was Mezabarba shooting for takedowns and they spent a log time clinching against the ring ropes at Lumpinee Stadium.

At the start of the second round Zamboanga landed more right hands with a visible improvement in her boxing since moving back to the Philippines. After finding herself on the receiving end of a series of straight right hands the Brazilian shot for a takedown.

After more clinching Zamboanga landed another solid right hand. Mezabarba finally did complete a takedown only for the Filipina to bounce straight back up.

Title shot

In the third round Mezabarba shot for another takedown but was tossed to the floor by Zamboanga who landed in half guard. The Brazilian was looking for a guillotine but her opponent was in half guard and never looked in any danger.

When Mezabarba released the choke there was a scramble and Zamboanga found herself back on her feet. There was just time for the Brazilian to shoot for one last takedown before the bell sounded.

The result was a formality with all three judges scoring the fight for Zamboanga who improves to 10-2 and moves a step closer to a potential title shot. It is back to the drawing board for the Brazilian who drops to 9-5-1 after a third straight loss.

Denice Zamboanga beats Julie Mezabarba at ONE Fight Night 9

Best of the rest

The morning got off to a good start for the Filipino fighters. Jhanlo Sangiao (6-0) needed just 58 seconds to catch Matias Farinelli (5-1) with a kneebar and was awarded a $50,000 USD bonus for his efforts.

In the main event Jonathan Haggerty scored a stunning KO of Nong-O Gaiyanghadao. He finished the Thai veteran in the first round to claim the bantamweight Muay Thai belt as well as $100,000 USD in bonuses.

ONE Fight Night 9, Bangkok, April 22nd
Muay Thai: Jonathan Haggerty def. Nong-O Gaiyanghadao via KO (Punches) at 2:40 of R1
Halil Amir def. Maurice Abévi via Decision (Unanimous)
Bokang Masunyane def. Hiroba Minowa via Decision (Unanimous)
Muay Thai: Felipe Lobo def. Saemapetch Fairtex via KO (Punches) at 1:56 of R3
Denice Zamboanga def. Julie Mezabarba via Decision (Unanimous)
Isi Fitikefu def. Valmir da Silva via Submission (Rear-naked choke) at 4:15 of R1
Meng Bo def. Dayane Cardoso via Decision (Unanimous)
Muay Thai: Asa Ten Pow def. Han Zihao via TKO (Punches) at 0:52 of R3
Jhanlo Mark Sangiao def. Matias Farinelli via Submission (Kneebar) at 0:58 of R1