Xiong Jing Nan Reveals Her Number One Fan

“The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan wants to create a positive message for everyone in China with her success in ONE Championship.

As her nation’s first-ever mixed martial arts World Champion, the 30-year-old hopes to inspire her compatriots. In many ways, she has already succeeded – particularly with one boy whom she rates as her biggest fan.

Her nephew, Xiong Sheng Ze, keeps tabs on everything the ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion does in the cage, and he wants to follow in her footsteps as a top-level athlete.

Xiong explains she has already helped him on his path by buying him training gear and sparring with him, but her influence has also spurred the youngster to strive for a life that benefits his whole family.

She explains: “My brother told me my nephew looks up to me. He would say, ‘I want to be like auntie. I will take care of my mother and father, and grandpa and grandma. I will be a little gentleman.’”

The young man will be glued to the action inside the Baoshan Arena, as his amazing aunt returns to defend her World Title in her homeland for the very first time in Shanghai, China.

Her bout against Samara Santos will serve as the main event of ONE: BEYOND THE HORIZON on Saturday, 8 September.

To drive the stakes even higher, the winner will move on to face “Unstoppable” Angela Lee in a World Champion versus World Champion super-bout at ONE: HEART OF THE LION in Singapore on 9 November.

Shanghai | 8 September | LIVE and FREE on the ONE Super App: http://bit.ly/ONESuperApp | TV: Check local listings for global broadcast