Reigning ONE women’s strawweight MMA world champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan has proven to be one of the most dominant female athletes in the sport today. But now, she is preparing for a brand-new challenge.
Xiong, China’s first-ever MMA world champion, will return to her boxing roots to participate in the first-ever special rules striking contest against muay Thai phenom Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak at ONE Fight Night 14 on Prime Video, which airs live on September 29.
The match will consist of three, three-minute rounds with each participant wearing ONE Championship’s signature four-ounce gloves. All types of punches are allowed, and if there isn’t a stoppage by the end of the final stanza, then the bout will be scored using the 10-point must system.
Xiong comes from a striking background, having started her martial arts career in “the sweet science” and even representing her home country as a member of the Chinese National Boxing Team. But now, the world-class instructors at Evolve MMA in Singapore are taking her skills to another level.
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Coaching “The Panda” for this innovative bout is none other than Drian Francisco, a WBA boxing world champion who heads the boxing program at Evolve MMA.
“I’m pumped for this fight, more than I’ve ever been. Coach Drian has been a game changer for me. We’ve been in the ring sparring, and he’s shown me so many new ways to use my old boxing skills,” Xiong told MixedMartialArts.com.
“It feels like I’m rediscovering parts of myself, and each day I can feel myself getting stronger and more precise.”
With the moniker “Gintong Kamao,” also known as “Golden Fist,” Francisco has achieved countless accolades during his boxing career.
The veteran has fought boxing legends such as Guillermo Rigondeaux and Roberto Vasquez, and he has even trained alongside fellow world champions Manny Pacquiao and Jerwin Ancajas.
There’s no doubt that Francisco knows talent when he sees it, and through his work with Xiong, it’s clear that he sees something special.
“Jing Nan is an absolute beast in training, a real workhorse,” Francisco said. “Making the transition from MMA to boxing? Her boxing foundation is so strong, she adapted and adjusted like it was second nature.”
It shouldn’t be any surprise that under the expert guidance of Francisco, “The Panda” engages in a rigorous daily training regimen.
Xiong’s mornings start with a three-mile run to enhance her endurance, followed by pad work sessions with Francisco to refine her techniques and improve her reaction speed. The training then progresses to sparring sessions, where the Chinese star benefits from the world-class coaching provided by Evolve MMA.
Aside from Francisco, Evolve MMA’s Assistant Instructor Danial “Tyson” Jalil – a four-time national boxing champion and the reigning super featherweight champion of the Asian Boxing Federation – has also played a pivotal role in shaping Xiong’s development and growth as a boxer.
“We’ve spent hours upon hours in the ring sparring, breaking down her opponent’s weaknesses. We’re not just training; we’re crafting a winning formula. I’m 110 percent convinced she’s going to own that ring,” Francisco added.
“We’re taking no shortcuts for her training. She’s got a special rules bout coming up with four-ounce gloves, but we’re over here training with 12-ounce (gloves). I’m constantly on her to unleash these short, quick bursts of power that will leave her opponent stunned. We’re not just preparing to compete; we’re preparing to dominate.”
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Francisco and the rest of his fellow Evolve MMA coaches expect Xiong to deliver an electrifying performance on September 29, and her upcoming special rules striking bout has a unique format that could theoretically showcase her biggest strengths in a way that fans have never seen before.
Knowing this, Xiong promises to mesmerize fans around the globe, and she is putting the hard work in now so she can reap the benefits at ONE Fight Night 14 on Prime Video.
“We’re all grinding every day, always looking for that extra edge in boxing,” Xiong said. “I’m on a non-stop journey to up my game. I can’t wait to show what I’ve got!”
