Xiong Jing Nan: Not Resting on Her Laurels
After crushing Singapore’s Tiffany Teo and becoming China’s first MMA world champion, “The Panda” is sharpening her edge for her upcoming title defence at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER on June 23 in Macau.
New Training Ground: Bali MMA
- Why Bali? Xiong swapped Phuket’s Top Team for Bali MMA in Indonesia, seeking a fresh rhythm and even faster progress.
- Growth Focus She’s aiming for more stability, sharper focus, toughness, and blister‑fast reflexes.
- Team Advantage “Bali’s crew is tight‑knit and super supportive—it drives me to push harder every day.”
Training with a Business Mindset
Unlike the surfer paradise that Bali is famous for, Xiong admits she’s not taken a dip in the waves yet. “The trip’s all about work. I’m 100% focused on the fight,” she says. She’s not looking for leisure; she’s on a mission to keep her world‑title reign going strong.
Facing Argentina’s Laura Balin
The challenger, Laura Balin, is fresh off a string of wins and brings a wealth of experience. Xiong knows she’s in for a tough bout.
- “It’s a real challenge.” Xiong says, “Let’s just keep doing our best and see what happens.”
- “No spoons needed.” She don’t want to predict anything; the fight is open to surprises.
The Stakes: First Title Defence
The event marks Xiong’s first defense of a world title—a milestone that amps up the pressure but also fuels her determination.
- Pressure = Motivation She views the challenge as a chance to learn and grow.
- Problem‑solving Xiong keeps a notebook for thoughts and reflections—that’s her way of easing the load.
- Clear Goals She revisits her path to see how far she’s come and what’s still in her sights.
What It Means for China
Xiong’s presence on the global stage showcases the strength of Chinese martial arts. While she humbly says she isn’t necessarily a national icon, she hopes to inspire the next wave of fighters back home.
- Representation “It’s a privilege to show that Chinese fighters can compete at the highest level.”
- Inspiration She wishes to spark interest among talent‑hungry youth across China.
- Vision She’s proud to bring the “power of China” into the fight‑ring and the world.
With her methodical attitude, businesslike training, and relentless focus, Xiong is setting the stage for a long, victorious reign. And in that corner, she’s ready to prove that the Panda’s claws still tap the world’s best—one fight at a time.
