ONE Championship: Zamboanga must beat me to be a real champion, Ham Seo-hee says
The 38-year-old South Korean has not fought since her loss to Stamp Fairtex for the vacant title in September 2022.
Stamp was forced to vacate the belt this year through injury, with Zamboanga elevated from interim to full champion – despite losing twice to Ham.
'Until she beats me, she will never be considered the real champion – that's my personal opinion,' Ham told the Post.
The veteran, who has claimed world titles in Road FC, Japan's Rizin and Jewels promotions as well as having competed in the UFC, remains hugely popular in Japan and would be a natural fit for November's ONE 173 card in Tokyo. But so far, her name is missing from the line-up.
Denice Zamboanga was named MMA atomweight champion despite losing twice to Ham Seo-hee. Photo: ONE Championship
'I've been asking for a fight after I recovered from my last fight. Other fighters have been fighting but I haven't gotten an opportunity yet. Do they think I'm too old to fight now?' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- South China Morning Post
‘Smashed every metric!': Ayaka Miura says she is ageing backwards ahead of ONE 173 shot
Ayaka Miura said she was in the best shape of her life as she prepared to fight Denice Zamboanga for the vacant atomweight MMA world title at ONE 173 in her homeland in November. Advertisement The 34-year-old Japanese star submitted Juliana Otálora in the first round last weekend at ONE Friday Fights 116, using her trademark scarf-hold Americana, widely known now as the 'Ayaka Lock'. It was her third submission in four straight wins and her 11th career victory by tapout. 'I always aim to finish,' Miura told the Post. 'If you don't finish, it can be boring, especially in women's fights. I want to show that female fights can be exciting. That's why I go for the submission every time.' Miura said she was told she would be receiving the title shot during her post-fight interview in the ring at Lumpinee Stadium. Ayaka Miura (right) lost to China's Xiong Jingnan in a strawweight title fight in 2022. Photo: ONE Championship 'The past few years were very tough, but I told myself: don't quit. Keep going. Believe in yourself. Now the results are coming.'
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Malaysian Muay Thai star Johan Ghazali brushes off haters ahead of ONE Fight Night 35
Muay Thai sensation Johan Ghazali said he was ready to silence the doubters when he returns to action at ONE Fight Night 35 at Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium in September. The 18-year-old will face Morocco's Zakaria El Jamari in a flyweight Muay Thai contest and aimed to deliver a statement performance after a tough decision loss to Colombian-American Diego Paez in June. 'My layovers are a little too long for my liking, but I'm just happy to be back in there,' Ghazali told the Post. That last outing prompted a wave of criticism online, but Ghazali said he was learning to handle the spotlight. 'People will talk s*** about me no matter what I do,' he said. 'Especially now. I'd like to say I'm one of the biggest Muay Thai stars in ONE Championship. I've got eyes on me. So, most of it is just for extra publicity – I just play into the marketing game a bit. It doesn't really affect me.' Zakaria El Jamari (right) lost to Johan Estupinan at ONE Fight Night 25 last October. Photo: ONE Championship Still, he admitted the negativity could be difficult to deal with.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- South China Morning Post
FC Barcelona cancel Japan match citing contractual breaches, South Korea game under threat
Barcelona have cancelled their pre-season friendly match in Japan, citing contractual breaches by the promoter, while their two scheduled friendlies in South Korea are also at risk of suspension, the club said. The La Liga champions were scheduled to play Japanese side Vissel Kobe on Sunday, and to play South Korea's FC Seoul on July 31 and Daegu FC on August 4. 'Barcelona announces that it has been obliged to suspend its participation in the game scheduled for next Sunday in Japan due to serious contractual breaches on behalf of the promoter,' Barca said in a statement on Wednesday. 'Nevertheless, the club will consider readjusting the leg of the summer tour in South Korea,' it said, 'if certain conditions are met by the promoter. 'If these conditions are met, then the club will travel to South Korea in the coming days. Barcelona regrets this incident and the impact it will have on the many, many Barca fans in Japan.' Vissel Kobe have apologised to their fans and were taking 'appropriate measures'. Photo: AFP In a statement on Thursday, Vissel Kobe apologised to fans.
