Denice Zamboanga hopes for one more magical moment for Eduard Folayang as the Filipino MMA icon takes on longtime rival Shinya Aoki for a fourth time at ONE 172 in Japan.
ONE Interim Atomweight MMA World Champion Denice "The Menace" Zamboanga has seen countless unforgettable moments from Filipino MMA icon Eduard "Landslide" Folayang in his near two-decade long MMA career.
Now the pride of Quezon City, Philippines, is hoping for one more.
The former two-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion will look to even the score against his rival-turned-buddy Shinya Aoki at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang this Sunday, March 23, at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
For this latest chapter of that epic rivalry, Zamboanga is banking on another unforgettable moment for the Filipino icon.
"Eduard Folayang is a true legend in Philippine MMA, and I have so much respect for everything he has accomplished. He's been an inspiration to so many of us, showing what the true Filipino fighting spirit is," she said.
While Folayang trails Aoki 2-1 in their series, Zamboanga is confident that he can even the score before the Japanese fighter ultimately walks away from the sport.
That confidence comes from how Folayang's squad, Lions Nation MMA, has leveled up its fighters — with Joshua Pacio's conquest over Jarred "The Monkey God" Brooks to unify the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title as the perfect example.
"I saw how much the Lions Nation team has evolved, especially after watching Joshua's fight against Jared Brooks, and that makes me even more excited to see Eduard in action," Zamboanga said.
"He's facing a longtime rival, and I know how much this means to him."
Unlike in Qatar where she wildly cheered Pacio on, Zamboanga won't be in Japan to support Folayang.
But that won't stop her from supporting him from afar.
"I'm rooting for him and praying for his victory," Zamboanga said, "believing that his hard work and experience will pay off."