Peng Xue Wen: The Chinese Grappling Kid on a Quest to Smash Strawweight Champs
Peng Xue Wen’s eye is set on ONE Championship’s high‑stakes strawweight circle, but he’ll have to slice through the home‑grown fan‑fave Stefer “The Lion” Rahardian to keep the ladder moving.
From Naughty Kid to Grappling Pro
- Raised in Zhongshan, Southern China, Peng spent more time watching martial arts flicks than hitting the books.
- His early “playful‑naughty” streak mixed video‑games with a serious love for the sport.
- His dad, a lifelong martial artist, taught him lion dance, boxing, and other local techniques from the age of two.
Finding the Perfect Match: Wrestling
At a sports school, a coach nudged him toward wrestling, saying, “You’re built for this.” Peng took it and dominated the Chinese national Greco‑Roman title, racking up a 56‑4 win/loss line.
Olympic Dream Derailed
Unfortunately, the 55‑kg division fell out of the Games in 2016, so Peng could’ve gone for a 60‑kg slot—but that meant bigger losses. “I had to give up wrestling.”
Turning the Tables with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Back at home, a televised MMA bout sparked a revelation: wrestling skills could translate to the cage. “If I can do the same in MMA, I can still glory,” he mused.
- Despite initial family doubts—especially from his mother who saw the real fights as a risky move—Peng’s hard work finally turned the tide.
- Now, with family behind him, he’s ready to claw his way into One Championship’s crown.
Fast‑Track Debuts and Statements
His first fight saw him KO Phat Soda in round one, shouting his name across the scene. A subsequent TKO against Eddey Kalai proved he’s not just a grappler; he’s swearing up to be a full‑swinger.
Upcoming Battle: They’re Talking ‘Franchise’ Power
On 22 September in Jakarta at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES, the fight pits Peng against a local legend who’s undefeated on home turf. If Peng clinches that fight, he’ll be one step closer to a world championship shot.
Peng’s mantra? “I want to be the king of ONE Championship.” And he’s ready to do whatever it takes—shifting from playful kid to heavyweight contender.
