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MMA: Drex Zamboanga makes splash in lightweight debut, KOs foe in 1 round

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Drex Zamboanga Handout photo" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/life/02/25/20220225-drex-zamboanga.jpg"/><figcaption>Drex Zamboanga needed only 1 minute and 5 seconds to finish Rahul Raju. Handout photo</figcaption></figure></div>Drex Zamboanga made quick work of Rahul Raju, knocking out his Indian opponent in the first round of his lightweight debut in ONE: Full Circle, Friday night at Singapore Indoor Stadium. The 5-foot-8 Zamboanga native climbed 3 weight classes and it paid off as he floored Raju in 1 minute and 5 seconds.The Indian tried to take the fight to the mat, but the fighter from Marrok Force prevailed in keeping the bout at stand up.Zamboanga then unleashed a flurry of body punches that opened up Raju&#x27;s head for a right uppercut.Raju was already out before hitting the mat face down, signaling the end of the fight.&quot;I&#x27;m feeling great because it&#x27;s been two since since I fought in the cage. I&#x27;m really excited for this fight,&quot; said Zamboanga. &quot;From flyweight to lightweight was not very easy because you have to train your speed, your conditioning, you need to be heavy.&quot;Zamboanga, brother of atomweight title contender Denice, went up to 8-5.Raju, meanwhile, fell to 8-7.Meanwhile, Team Lakay&#x27;s Jeremy Pacatiw suffered his first defeat in ONE Championship after succumbing to Fabricio Andrade of Brazil.Pacatiw was showing good stand up versus the Brazilian, but Andrade connected a well placed left knee to the body as the Filipino was rushing in.As a result, Pacatiw doubled over and lost the bout via first round knockout.

Drex Zamboanga knocked out Rahul Raju in the first round of his lightweight debut in ONE: Full Circle, Friday night at Singapore Indoor Stadium. 