Ayaka Miura said she was in the best shape of her life as she prepared to fight Denice Zamboanga for the vacant atomweight MMA world title at ONE 173 in her homeland in November.
The 34-year-old Japanese star submitted Juliana Otálora in the first round last weekend at ONE Friday Fights 116, using her trademark scarf-hold Americana, widely known now as the “Ayaka Lock”.
It was her third submission in four straight wins and her 11th career victory by tapout.
“I always aim to finish,” Miura told the Post. “If you don’t finish, it can be boring, especially in women’s fights. I want to show that female fights can be exciting. That’s why I go for the submission every time.”
Miura said she was told she would be receiving the title shot during her post-fight interview in the ring at Lumpinee Stadium.
Ayaka Miura (right) lost to China’s Xiong Jingnan in a strawweight title fight in 2022. Photo: ONE Championship
“The past few years were very tough, but I told myself: don’t quit. Keep going. Believe in yourself. Now the results are coming.”