Long-reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight MMA World Champion Xiong Jing Nan is determined to prove she’s among the planet’s top strikers, no matter the sport.
This Friday, September 29, the Singapore Indoor Stadium will play host to a first-of-its-kind special rules striking contest in which the Chinese titleholder will square off with Muay Thai sensation Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak.
Xiong Jing Nan looking to conquer a “new area” by winning a special rules contest
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Airing live in U.S. primetime, that showdown at ONE Fight Night 14: Stamp vs. Ham on Prime Video will be Xiong’s opportunity to showcase her boxing prowess in 4-ounce MMA gloves.
The bout permits all punching techniques but prohibits knees, elbows, and kicks. The winner of four straight fights and nine out of 10 in ONE, ‘The Panda’ has little left to prove or accomplish in her illustrious career.But she says a win over “Wondergirl” – one of Muay Thai’s most dangerous rising stars – would show to the world that she’s just as dangerous of a striker as she is a mixed martial artist.
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The 35-year-old said: “Victory would mean that I can go into a new area and conquer it. I hope it will let more people know that you can be the best, even in a different style.”
Xiong Jing Nan believes the special rules give her the upper hand
Xiong believes that the unique nature of the fight works to her advantage. Even though she started her martial arts journey in boxing as a member of the Shandong women’s boxing team, she has competed exclusively in MMA for nearly a decade. That extensive experience competing in small gloves, much of it against world-class athletes in ONE Championship, should help her in this special attraction against “Wondergirl.”
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Brimming with confidence and aiming for a highlight-reel finish on Friday night, Xiong said: “It is very helpful for me to use small gloves in this contest as they are the same as those in MMA. It will make for more speed and power. I think I have rich experience in the skills required and my previous contests. Of course, I will knock her out.”