Ham Seo-hee has thrown down the gauntlet to ONE atomweight MMA champion Denice Zamboanga, insisting the Filipina must beat her to be considered the true champion.
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.
“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.
