The tip of a division has left a dominant titleholder free to start a brand new chapter in MMA.
ONE Championship has appeared near abandoning any deal with mixed martial arts in recent times, with quite a few fighters expressing discontent about their lengthy layoffs and others being released.
The newest sign toward that got here on Thursday, when it was announced that the promotion has decided to abolish its women’s strawweight (125 kilos) MMA division.
That has led to the discharge of the champion at that weight, who has long been considered one in every of the highest female fighters competing outside of the UFC.
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Xiong Jing Nan becomes a free agent after ONE Championship abolishes strawweight division
Xiong Jing Nan became the inaugural ONE strawweight MMA champion in 2018 and held the title right up until the recent decision to shut down her division.
News of that move and Xiong’s subsequent entry into free agency was reported by Nick Atkin of the Bangkok Post.
While she leaves as champion, the Chinese star had not defended her title in 4 years amid ONE’s ongoing move away from MMA.
She returned from a three-year layoff in 2025, attempting to drop right down to atomweight (115 kilos). After missing weight by 1.5 kilos, ‘The Panda’ defeated Meng Bo at ONE Friday Fights 100 to make it 14 wins in her last 15 fights.
Her only defeat since 2015 got here against the nice Angela Lee. Before Xiong beat Lee of their trilogy, the Hawaiian star leveled their rating at one win apiece when the Chinese fighter unsuccessfully challenged for the 115-pound belt.
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Fans suggest the UFC needs to be focused on Xiong Jing Nan after her ONE exit
Despite being 38 years old, loads of fans still imagine it will be definitely worth the UFC picking Xiong up and bringing her over to the Octagon.
“There aren’t many ladies the UFC are currently interested (in) which can be free agents. This needs to be one they’re focused on. She’s a top flyweight outside the UFC and Chinese, a market they’re continually attempting to further open up. Looks as if an ideal fit.”
“I believe UFC should join Xiong Jing Nan.”
“Relative to how bad the UFC flyweight division is, not too far out of possibility.”
“I could see UFC or Rizin signing her.”
“Despite her age, she wouldn’t be a nasty catch for the UFC. Strawweight feels very dry right away.”
“Seems like RTU (Road to UFC).”
“Welcome to TUF.”
“No selection but to go to UFC.”
“Could be an actual cool pickup for the UFC that is smart.”
The ladies’s strawweight division is currently considered a contender for the weakest weight class within the promotion. While Xiong’s addition could help change that, her recent struggle to make weight at 115 kilos could mean only a flyweight stint is viable.
Some fans have already got a debut fight in mind, with one pointing to May’s UFC event in China.
“Her vs Jessica Andrade in Macau can be dope.”
Andrade lost to Xiong’s fellow countrywoman, Zhang Weili. A clash with ‘The Panda’ would represent the prospect for the Brazilian veteran to get one over on the country of China.