MMA News: Denice Zamboanga Praises Victoria Lee, Disparages Atomweight Queen In Latest Statement

Denice Zamboanga is still feeling some type of way regarding atomweight queen Angela Lee but remains complimentary of her sister, Victoria.

In an exclusive conversation with the International Business Times, Zamboanga said that she was impressed with the talent that Victoria has, attributing her skills to the fact that she comes from a fighting family.

So good is Victoria’s ability at such a young age that Zamboanga is already clamoring for her to face veteran fighters in ONE Championship.

“Obviously she needs more experience, but that will come the more she fights. I want to see her against the top contenders, and I think she has what it takes to face off with more dangerous fighters now like Bi Nguyen or Jihin Radzuan. Based on what I’ve seen, she’s ready,” Zamboanga mentioned.

Lee is currently riding a three-fight win streak as a pro fighter, two victories via submission and a knockout in her fight against Victoria Souza back in September.

Inevitably enough, the Filipina's praise of the fighting family would stop when it came to talking about the reigning atomweight champion.

“Of course, we’re going to talk about Angela. She’s the champion. That doesn’t mean we’re going to overlook our upcoming opponents. But Angela is at the heart of the division, and she has the belt, which she has held up, by the way, for more than two years. Of course, we’re going to talk about Angela," Zamboanga asserted.

“The Lycan Queen” and the eldest of the Lee siblings were set to fight in 2020, but Angela went on an extended absence due to her being pregnant.

Zamboanga then called for Lee to vacate her title out of respect to the other fighters in the division.

ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong backed up Lee by stating that it would not be fair to strip her of the title just yet, which led to the recently-concluded ONE Women's Atomweight World Grand Prix.

Stamp Fairtex won the tournament and will face Lee for the title sometime in 2022.

Zamboanga made it clear that she was not the only one who is frustrated with the situation and pointed out that the title must be defended soon.

“Doesn’t matter who you ask among the other atomweight fighters, they are going to say the same thing. They just aren’t as vocal as we are. Even the media knows it shouldn’t be this way. At some point, the belt has to be back in play,” Zamboanga stated.