This year marks a historic achievement for Filipino athletes in ONE Championship. After 13 years without a Filipina World Champion, the promotion now boasts two in just six months — Jackie Buntan and Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga.

Jackie Buntan, the newly crowned ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion, and Denice Zamboanga, the undisputed ONE Atomweight MMA World Champion, have both made significant strides in the sport. Their success is a reflection of their relentless hard work and determination.

From Contenders to Champions
The paths of Buntan and Zamboanga first crossed in December 2022, during ONE Fight Night 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. At the time, both were rising contenders still learning from setbacks in their careers. Buntan had just suffered a loss to Smilla Sundell in her bid for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title, while Zamboanga was recovering from back-to-back defeats to Ham Seo Hee.

Both fighters earned victories that night: Buntan defeated Amber Kitchen, and Zamboanga edged out Lin Heqin in the opening bout. The two shared a moment of camaraderie in the warm-up room, icing their faces after the fights, reflecting on their journey.

A Historic Rise to the Top
Fast forward more than two years, and Buntan and Zamboanga have reached the pinnacle of their respective divisions. Both women have gone on an impressive winning streak since that night, with three straight victories that led them to World Champion status.

Buntan, reflecting on the significance of their accomplishments, said, “It’s a deeply significant and proud moment to be one of the two Filipinas in ONE Championship to reach World Champion status.” She continued, “To have two Filipinas be at the top of their divisions at the same time just shows the growth of women in martial arts during this day and age.”

Breaking Barriers for Women in Martial Arts
The rise of these two fighters is more than just a personal achievement; it is a testament to the progress of women in martial arts. Buntan and Zamboanga’s victories show that women’s roles in the sport are becoming more prominent, with their talent and perseverance inspiring future generations.

As both Buntan and Zamboanga continue their reigns as champions, they are proving that the sky’s the limit for women in mixed martial arts.