Bloodied Zamboanga loses to Korean foe in Grand Prix quarterfinal

MANILA, Philippines — A bloodied Denice Zamboanga suffered an early exit in the ONE Women's Atomweight World Grand Prix after a split decision loss to Korea's Seo Hee Ham in the quarterfinals in ONE: Empower held in Singapore on Friday.

Despite being in control for most of the bout with her grappling that held Ham to the side of the cage, Zamboanga did not get the favorable result against her opponent in the latter's debut.

Seo Hee Ham ???????? SHOCKS Denice Zamboanga by split decision to make the World Grand Prix semifinals! Do YOU agree with the decision? ???? #ONEEmpower #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/6yFBh99GMl

— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) September 3, 2021

Zamboanga even landed a double leg takedown on Ham in the third round after the fight was stopped briefly for a doctor to nurse a cut above Zamboanga's eye.

The 25-year-old is the top-ranked atomweight contender.

Fighters who thus moved on to the semifinal of the Grand Prix are Ham, Stamp Fairtex, Itsuki Hirata and Ritu Phogat.

Fans are tasked to be matchmaker for the brackets in the semifinal as they will be able to vote on what matchups they want to see in the next round.

Earlier in the card, Fil-Am fighter Jackie Buntan took a unanimous decision win over Daniela Lopez in a strawweight muay thai Super Series bout.