ONE: Kings of Courage is set to go Saturday, January 20th and a deep event at the Jakarta Convention Center. The stacked card includes main event competitors Tiffany “No Chill” Teo of Singapore vs “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan of China, co-main eventers Stefer Rahardian of Indonesia and Muhammad Imran of Pakistan, and lastly, “The Terminator” Sunoto who will be taking on Rin Saroth. Bouts will be live streamed on Twitter for the first time in ONE history for fans outside of the Asian market. Within Asia, SCTV will be distributing the product domestically.
Liberty’s own Dylan Bowker was able to catch up with a few of the martial artists competing on ONE’s first event of the new year.
TIFFANY TEO
As a Singaporean native, what does it mean to you to be such a big part of ONE Championship which has such popularity in Singapore?
“ONE Championship has made a huge step for women’s MMA in Asia. I’m happy to be part of it. It’s awesome to be a part of a company that is making so much progress and giving people in different countries something to look up to.”
What does it mean to you to potentially become the first ONE Women’s Strawweight champion?
“This title shot means a lot to me and I am excited to get right back in the cage. This one is for my fans in Singapore. I will bring the belt home.”
“I’ve always kept my head down and let the hard work and my achievements speak for itself. I got the win in my last bout, but I still feel like I could have done better. As a martial artist, I am constantly seeking to improve.”
What’s your assessment of your opponent’s skills heading into this key fight?
“I know she is a striker, and I have watched a few of her matches, so I can tell she is very comfortable with her striking compared to grappling, I think it will be an interesting match-up.”
Does your mindset differ at all heading into a main event title fight since it’s of such high magnitude?
“I will go there and do my job. I am known for my finishes inside the cage. If there’s an opening to get the knockout or submission, I will go for that in a split second.”
“I always look at myself as a well-rounded fighter. As fighters, we often developed specific techniques that we grow fond of. These techniques become our ‘bread and butter,’ and we often rely on these techniques to get us through hard rolls and competition. It is important to have an A-game that we can go to in times of need, but it is even more important to advance your game by becoming a more well-rounded fighter.”
For a long time your parents were not supportive of your endeavours in martial arts. How does it feel now to have their approval as your star power continues to grow hugely?
“My parents are very supportive now. When I first started competing in martial arts, I told people they were not supportive and wanted me to stop. But now, they are checking on me, my training, my preparations, and are asking about my matches.”
“They are changing their attitude, and it is really nice having the support of my parents. I am really happy about it. Now, I am so motivated to win and bring home the belt.”
Have gone by nicknames such as “Soul Crusher” and “No Chill”. How did you get these monikers attached to you?
“It is given to me by my teammates. It’s just stuck with me as I progress in this sport.”
You were a self described nerdy choir girl when you were younger until you discovered martial arts. How has martial arts shaped your life and changed you for the better?
“I fell in love with martial arts. There is more to it than throwing strikes and grappling with your training partner on the mat.”
You have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. How do you apply what you’ve learned from psychology into each fight you have?
“I am a type of fighter who can compete whether it’s standing up or exchanging leverage and positions on the mat.”
“To succeed, you need to work harder each and everyday. Most importantly, appreciate everyone and everything around you.”
STEFER RAHARDIAN
What’s your mindset like heading into a fight where you’re the hometown guy?
“I do believe that the Indonesian crowd gives me extra power and motivation when it comes to fighting in front of my countrymen.”
“Fans can expect an even better me. I grow better every bout, and my last fight taught me a lot of stuff. So this fight is where I will test those new skills and show them.”
5-0 in the ONE Championship promotion. What are your thoughts on being with this organization as it grows exponentially seemingly day to day?
My countrymen understand this sport so much because martial arts is in our blood through the martial arts of Silat. I definitely think that MMA is growing all over Southeast Asia, obviously also here in Indonesia. I think ONE Championship has a big part of that in bringing it to the next stage.”
“If this keeps on going, the future is bright for Indonesia. There are a lot of talents here. ONE Championship is a great platform to expose the local competitors’ hidden gifts to the rest of the world.”
Lived in the same Jakarta neighbourhood for the bulk of your life. Have people been approaching you differently at all or noticing that you’re that fighter in a co-main event spot on a big card?
“Yes, of course. They know me now. ONE Championship has opened a big door of opportunity. With that, I am thankful.”
What goals do you have for 2018 while fighting for ONE Championship?
“I really want to compete as frequent as possible. I just want to keep improving and keep moving forward.”
Where does an emphatic win here put you in the ONE Championship Flyweight title picture?
“I don’t want to rush things. There’s always a right moment. Every match is a lesson. We, as martial arts athletes, gain valuable knowledge every time we train and step into the cage.”
“I am a martial artist who always wishes to give you the best entertainment and the best show you will ever see inside the cage. I just want to savor each moment. That belt will be mine someday.”
VITALY BIGDASH
What’s your assessment of your opponent’s overall skill set?
“Leandro Ataides is an explosive competitor. He always comes out with firepower. He is a physically strong guy and an outstanding jiu-jitsu practitioner.”
“I am training all aspects of the game to achieve my goal — to win against Ataides and be one step closer to getting my belt back. I am not treating this match lightly.”
Had back to back fights with Aung La Nsang. Is it refreshing to have a new opponent to prepare for?
“I am on a mission to get back my middleweight title. I see him Ataides as my first step on the way back to the top.”
“I always want to give fans an exciting fight and a good finish. Unfortunately, they didn’t have that in my last fight against Aung La N Sang. In my upcoming fight, I’m going to give my best. You will see fireworks.”
Fresh off losing the ONE middleweight championship. When do you see yourself back in a position to hold that 185lbs belt again?
“As much as possible I want to be back out there and compete, but I am leaving the decision to ONE Championship. I will just face whoever is in front of me. But right now, my top priority is facing Leandro Ataides.”
“I am excited to get back inside the cage and expect nothing less than a spectacular showing in Jakarta Although I respect my opponent and what he brings to the table, I am returning home victorious.
Having just taken your first career loss, how has the preparation for this fight differed if at all? Any huge takeaways from the loss?
“Training camp is really doing well. I love how I prepared for this camp. As we wrap up the training camp, we now channel our focus on the mental aspect. We know how high his energy is. We have to be mentally prepared as well.”
Called for a Ben Askren fight in the past but Askren has since retired. Are there any other dream opponents you have that you’d like to call out at the moment?
“At the moment, I will face anyone. I don’t care who ONE Championship will put in front of me. I will just win and reclaim my belt in the future.”
What does it mean to you to be a highly talked about fighter in ONE Championship as they continue to grow exponentially?
“I am blessed to work with ONE Championship. I couldn’t fathom not being with ONE Championship because they treat fighters like modern-day Samurai. It’s a totally different vibe and mentality. They care about fighters.”
You tried to appeal the loss in your last fight, the promotion promised you a rematch, and neither the appeal or fight materialized. What are your thoughts on that situation as well as how it played out?
“I respect the judges and ONE Championship, but I am not going to agree with this decision. I think Aung La N Sang did not do enough to get that belt. I felt that he got the win because the bout happened on his home turf.”
“While I disagree with the judges, I have to take responsibility for my own actions. To be honest, I underestimated Aung La N Sang. I competed against him before, I knew his style, and I did not expect any surprises. But my opponent was quick and brave. It did not help when I made a technical mistake.”