Philippine MMA Champion Drex “T-Rex” Zamboanga wants to leave a lasting impression when he makes his highly-anticipated debut inside the ONE Championship ring this Friday night.
The 27-year-old veteran is scheduled to face Thailand’s Detchadin “Detchpool” Sornsirisuphathin in a three round mixed martial arts contest at ONE: A NEW BREED, a live, closed-door, audience-free event scheduled for 28 August in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ahead perhaps the biggest moment in his career thus far, Zamboanga is looking to score a statement-making victory with millions of fans watching around the world.
“I am super excited because this is my MMA debut in ONE Championship, and I feel so great to be a part of the largest martial arts organization in the world,” said Zamboanga.
“This is my first exposure on the big stage, on the number one promotion here in Asia. For me, I feel really excited because there’s a lot of very good fighters in the flyweight division. It’s a new challenge for me, and it gives me extra motivation to train more to reach my ultimate goal.”
An added incentive for Zamboanga in the upcoming event is getting the opportunity to perform on the same card as his younger sister Denice.
It’s a rare and special occasion when sibling martial artists make it to the highest level of competition and can compete on the same card. Both Drex and Denice are very thankful for the chance to do so at ONE: A NEW BREED. Drex, in particular, wants to use the platform to inspire others who look to follow in his footsteps.
“I’m very happy because both of us are fighting on the same card here in Bangkok. It’s the first time for us to compete on the same card in such a big organization. We did so before, when we were amateurs around six years ago, but that can’t compare to this moment,” Zamboanga said
“My dream here at ONE is to become the ONE Flyweight World Champion. But someday, I also want to be an inspiration and great role model to people who also want to become professional MMA fighters, like me.”
Like every martial arts athlete, Zamboanga has his eyes on becoming a ONE World Champion. But to get to where he wants to be, he has to beat the man in front of him first.
Detchadin Sornsirisuphathin is no walk in the park. The 30-year-old “Detchpool” is a Thai Amateur MMA Champion, who has trained with some of the best martial arts talent at Bangkok Fight Lab. Detchadin poses a huge threat to Zamboanga’s aspirations.
Nevertheless, Zamboanga is excited to finally get in the ring and perform, and announce his arrival on the global stage in epic fashion.
“Winning here in Bangkok is very important to me, because I put a lot of time and sacrifice into this just to win. We haven’t seen our family in a long time so we can stay here in Thailand and focus just on training,” said Zamboanga.
“This Friday night, I want to make sure I give my one hundred percent, to show people around the world my talent. It will be a great and amazing fight.”
ONE: A NEW BREED brings together the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent.
The headline bout features ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex of Thailand, who defends her title against promotional newcomer Allycia Hellen Rodrigues of Brazil.
In the co-main event, Muay Thai superstars Rodlek PK.Saenchaimuaythai gym and Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai square off in the final round of the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Tournament. The winner will go on to challenge ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao at a later date.
