What Happened to Xiong Jingnan?
Xiong Jingnan, known as 'The Panda,' is a pioneering Chinese mixed martial artist who dominated the ONE Championship women's strawweight division as its inaugural and seven-time defending world champion. After ONE Championship dissolved its women's strawweight division in March 2026, Xiong signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is set to make her highly anticipated debut on May 30, 2026.
Quick Answer
Xiong Jingnan, a celebrated Chinese mixed martial artist and former seven-time ONE Women's Strawweight World Champion, was released from ONE Championship in March 2026 following the dissolution of their women's strawweight division. She subsequently signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is scheduled to make her UFC debut today, May 30, 2026, against veteran Angela Hill at UFC Macau. This move marks a significant new chapter in her illustrious career, bringing her to the sport's largest global stage.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline11 events
Born in Weishan County, China
Xiong Jingnan was born in Weishan County, Jining, Shandong province, China.
Professional MMA Debut
Xiong Jingnan began her professional mixed martial arts career.
Signs with ONE Championship
Xiong Jingnan joined ONE Championship, Asia's largest mixed martial arts promotion.
Wins Inaugural ONE Women's Strawweight World Championship
Xiong defeated Tiffany Teo via fourth-round TKO to become the first-ever ONE Women's Strawweight World Champion and the first Chinese MMA world champion.
Defeats Angela Lee in First Trilogy Bout
Xiong successfully defended her strawweight title against then-atomweight champion Angela Lee, handing Lee her first professional loss.
Wins Trilogy Against Angela Lee
Xiong defeated Angela Lee by unanimous decision in their third and final encounter, retaining her ONE Women's Strawweight World Championship.
Special Rules Striking Match at ONE Fight Night 14
Xiong faced Nat 'Wondergirl' Jaroonsak in a special-rules striking match, winning via TKO in the third round despite failing hydration at weigh-ins.
Last Fight in ONE Championship
Xiong competed against Meng Bo, winning by unanimous decision in an attempt to move back to atomweight, marking her final bout with ONE.
Released from ONE Championship; Division Shut Down
ONE Championship announced the dissolution of its women's strawweight division and released Xiong Jingnan, ending her long reign as champion.
Signs with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Xiong Jingnan officially signed with the UFC, marking her transition to the world's premier MMA organization.
UFC Debut Against Angela Hill at UFC Macau
Xiong Jingnan is scheduled to make her highly anticipated UFC debut against veteran Angela Hill in a strawweight bout at UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Figueiredo in Macau.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Xiong Jingnan, born on January 12, 1988, in Weishan County, Shandong, China, began her martial arts journey at 18 as a member of the Shandong women's boxing team, representing China internationally. Her early career in mixed martial arts saw her compete in promotions like Kunlun Fight (KLF) before she made her mark on the global stage.
In 2017, Xiong joined ONE Championship, quickly ascending the ranks. On January 20, 2018, she faced Tiffany Teo for the inaugural ONE Women's Strawweight World Championship, securing a fourth-round TKO victory to become the first-ever recognized Chinese World Champion in mixed martial arts history. This victory was a pivotal moment, not only for her career but also for the growth of Chinese MMA internationally. She went on to defend her title successfully seven times, establishing herself as one of the most dominant champions in the promotion's history.
A defining period of her ONE Championship tenure was her intense rivalry with then-ONE Women's Atomweight Champion Angela Lee. Their trilogy of fights captivated fans, with Xiong handing Lee her first professional loss in their first encounter in March 2019. While Lee later avenged that loss in an atomweight title bout, Xiong ultimately won their rubber match in September 2022, retaining her strawweight title by unanimous decision.
Her reign in ONE Championship came to an unexpected end on March 26, 2026, when ONE Championship announced the shutdown of its women's strawweight MMA division and subsequently released Xiong Jingnan. This development, following her last fight in March 2025 where she defeated Meng Bo by unanimous decision in an attempt to move back to atomweight, signaled a significant turning point. Despite the abrupt end to her championship run, Xiong expressed gratitude for her time at ONE and looked forward to new opportunities.
Following her release, Xiong Jingnan quickly signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in April 2026, a move that had been long-speculated by MMA fans. Her UFC debut is scheduled for May 30, 2026, at UFC Macau, where she will face veteran contender Angela Hill in a featured strawweight bout. This highly anticipated debut pits her 19-2 professional record and extensive championship experience against elite UFC competition, with analysts identifying her as one of the most dangerous newcomers on the roster.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Xiong Jingnan made different choices?