Xiong Jing Nan and Angela Lee created an instant classic on ONE on Prime Video 2 on Friday.
It is the 3rd times Xiong and Lee engaged within the ONE Circle. The ‘Panda’ successfully won the strawweight title with an eighth-round knockdown from Lee in ONE Championship: A New Era just three years back. After the match “Unstoppable returned the favor by submitting the fifth round submission by Xiong during ONE Championship: Century to defend the atomweight title. Then, fast forward to today and the fans were entertained by an all-action match in the ring between Xiong and Lee — yet again.
Lee began well in the beginning, moving forward and throwing some kicks at the body. Xiong replied, shaking Lee with a right-hand strike and following it up with a few knees on the head. Lee was back up on her feet but was attacked by knees and punches. The referee Herb Dean appeared ready to intervene immediately, but decided not to do so after Lee was able to land an uni-leg takedown. She then pushed Xiong to the cage, before they split. The two women exchanged punches until the horn signalling the conclusion of the first round rang. Lee was able to survive!
Unfazed by the close-to-fight-ending assault, Lee went out for the second round , and changed the tide! The one atomweight champion used her grappling skills, bringing Xiong down for a short time before securing her in an Anaconda choke. It was used for control by holding Xiong in place, allowing her to unleash numerous knees to the body and head. Lee was able to lower herself in order to try to hold the choke in place however she didn’t possess it.
Third and Fourth rounds came in The third and fourth rounds were in the air, and Xiong was present the fight with Lee and her efforts to take the fight down to the floor. Both fighters spent the next 10 minutes trading heavy blows and Xiong was able to get more of Lee.
It was a great effort however Lee did manage to knock Xiong down briefly. While the champion worked her upwards, Lee took advantage and was able to get her back hoping to secure a rear naked choke. Xiong created space, then ripped Lee off, and then began trading. The last minute was intense, as both women began to show off their skills and throwing hands. Although there was no conclusion this time, Xiong vs. Lee 3 was an amazing fight. At the end of the day, Xiong retained her strawweight title with a unanimous decision.
“I’m always prepared,” said Xiong in her post-fight interview. “I’m prepared for another fight together with Angela Lee, whether it’s kickboxing or MMA. Let’s go.”
Lee was not as optimistic about a possible fourth bout, since she was of the opinion that she had won this one and that she should be 1-1 against Xiong.
“I don’t understand the decision,” Lee said. Lee. “I am not sure how you can earn points from a card while using your defense , and then run backwards. I did my best in this match.”
Chatri Sityodtong, the MMA’s head of operations, also said that was not happy with the decision and would seek to review the scorecards of judges. Xiong was unhappy after learning about this from the chief of both ONE Lee’s team and Lee’s, Evolve MMA.
“From the start the organization has always been biased towards Angela Lee,” Xiong spoke via an interpreter. “But (I) don’t care because (I know I have) the ability to beat anyone.”
Main Card Results:
Xiong Jing Nan def. Angela Lee by unanimous decisionMikey Musumeci def. Cleber Sousa by unanimous decision — Submission Grappling
Stamp Fairtex def. Jihin Radzuan with a unanimous vote
Ilya Freymanov def. Martin Nguyen by KO (knees and punches) at 3:33 in Round 1.
Halil Amir def. Timofey Nastyukhin by KO (punches) at 0:58 of Round 2
Preliminary Card Results:
Marat Grigorian def. Tayfun Ozcan by unanimous decision — Kickboxing
Oh Ho Taek def. Ryogo Takahashi in split decision
Anissa Meksen def. Dangkongfah Banchamek by unanimous decision — Muay Thai
Rade Opacic by Giannis Stoforidis via TKO (strikes) at 1:52 of Round 2 — Kickboxing