THE scriptwriters of Philippine mixed martial arts couldn’t have penned a better opening act for 2025. This isn’t just a strong start; this is an emphatic statement. Two homegrown talents have already left their mark this month, igniting the flames of what could be a groundbreaking year for the sport in the country.
Denice Zamboanga kicked off the campaign in historic fashion at ONE Fight Night 27 on January 11, seizing the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight World Championship with a thunderous victory over Alyona Rassohyna.
“The Menace” didn’t just win — she dominated. Whether standing or grappling, she owned the exchanges, leaving the Ukrainian powerhouse with no answers. With just 13 seconds left in the second round, Zamboanga sealed the deal with a vicious technical knockout, etching her name in history as the first Filipina to claim a world title in MMA.
And just when you thought the momentum might slow down, enter Jean Claude Saclag. Nearly a week later, he added to the fireworks, detonating a left hook that sent Indonesia’s Fajar crashing to the canvas in the first round at ONE Friday Fights. That’s back-to-back highlight-reel finishes from Filipino warriors, proving that the nation’s MMA scene isn’t just alive — it’s thriving.
But wait, there’s more. The month isn’t over yet, and the Philippines has another ace up its sleeve. This Saturday, January 25, Ruel Pañales steps into uncharted territory as the first Filipino to compete under the Professional Fighters League banner. He squares off against Hadi Omar Al Hussaini, with the hopes of adding yet another victory to this January blitz.
If my memory serves me correctly, we haven’t seen a start this electrifying since 2018. That year, Rene Catalan set the tone with a second-round knockout of Peng Xue Wen, followed by Edward Kelly’s 21-second decimation of Meas Meu. Joshua Pacio then choked out Lan Ming Qiang, while Geje Eustaquio captured the ONE Interim Flyweight World Title by besting Kairat Akhmetov. That incredible run set the stage for a golden era, culminating in the Philippines holding five world championships by year’s end.
Could we be witnessing history repeating itself? The signs are there. The energy is undeniable. But before we start fantasizing about another banner year, let’s focus on what lies immediately ahead because February is shaping up to be just as explosive.
At ONE Fight Night 28 on February 8, four Pinoys are booked for battle. Lito Adiwang leads the charge, eyeing a spot in the strawweight rankings as he clashes with Keito Yamakita. Jeremy Pacatiw braces for war against the relentless Ibragim Dauev in bantamweight action. Carlo Bumina-ang is on a mission for redemption against Song Ming Jong, while Jeremy Miado makes a bold move to flyweight to throw hands with Gilbert Nakatani.
Then, just two weeks later at ONE 170, two Filipino juggernauts are set to carry the flag high in Qatar’s Lusail Sports Arena. Former bantamweight king Kevin Belingon rekindles his legendary rivalry with Brazilian nemesis Bibiano Fernandes in their fifth encounter, while Joshua Pacio looks to finally close the book on his feud with Jarred Brooks in a unification showdown for the undisputed ONE Strawweight MMA World Title.
The road ahead is treacherous. The stakes are massive. The challenges are relentless. But this is what defines the sport, and more importantly, this is what defines the Filipino fighting spirit.
We’re off to a remarkable start, but let’s not kid ourselves — this is just the opening chapter of what promises to be a rollercoaster ride. Every fight moving forward has the potential to alter the trajectory of Philippine MMA this 2025.
Because in this unforgiving sport, it’s not just about how you start. It’s about how you finish.
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