Sometimes the most difficult decisions in professional athletics have nothing to do with competition strategy or opponent preparation. On Thursday evening in Manila, Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga faced the heartbreaking reality of choosing her long-term health over her immediate obligations.

The undisputed ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion announced her withdrawal from the highly anticipated title defense against Ayaka “Zombie” Miura at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri, citing medical reasons that prevent her from competing inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on November 16.

For a champion who has built her reputation on never backing down from challenges, the decision to withdraw represents one of the most difficult moments of her career. Her emotional statement reflected the weight of disappointing not just herself, but her opponent, the organization, and fans worldwide.

“Unfortunately, due to medical reasons, I am unable to step into the Circle this time. It is heartbreaking for me to pull out of this match, and I want to sincerely apologize to Ayaka, to ONE Championship, and to all the fans who were anticipating this bout,” Zamboanga stated.

The timing couldn’t be more cruel for both athletes. Zamboanga was preparing for her first defense of the undisputed title after being elevated from interim champion status when Stamp Fairtex relinquished the belt in May. This was her moment to establish herself as the division’s legitimate queen through competition rather than circumstance.

For Miura, the disappointment runs even deeper. The Japanese submission specialist had earned her title shot through an impressive five-bout winning streak, positioning herself perfectly for a championship opportunity on home soil – the kind of career-defining moment that rarely comes twice.

The 34-year-old had been preparing for what many considered her last realistic chance at gold, following her previous title challenge against Xiong Jing Nan at strawweight in 2022. Fighting for a ONE Championship belt in Japan represented the culmination of years of dedication and sacrifice.

In a personal message that demonstrated the respect between elite competitors, Zamboanga addressed her opponent directly.

“I was truly excited to defend my belt against you at ONE 173,” she said. “I know how strong and talented you are, which makes this even more heartbreaking for me. I sincerely apologize that I cannot compete this time due to medical reasons, and I hope we can share the Circle in the future.”

While Zamboanga hasn’t provided a specific timeline for her return, her commitment to recovering fully before competing again shows the maturity that defines elite athletes. The Filipina understands that rushing back could jeopardize both her health and her career longevity.

The withdrawal affects more than just the two athletes involved. ONE 173 was positioned as a showcase event in Japan, with Miura’s title challenge serving as a major draw for local fans eager to see their countrywoman compete for championship gold on home soil.

Despite this setback, the event remains compelling with multiple world title contests. The main event features ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon defending against interim champion Masaaki Noiri, while the card also includes a cross-divisional showcase between strawweight king Joshua Pacio and flyweight champion Yuya Wakamatsu, plus the heavyweight title rematch between “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane and Anatoly Malykhin.

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