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Chinese language knockout artist Meng Bo could have just lately suffered probably the most devastating lack of her skilled combined martial arts profession, however she is re-focused, re-energized, and has a large alternative to rapidly flip her misfortunes round.
On Friday, 14 January, the Changsha resident will transfer up a division to face the top-ranked ladies’s strawweight contender, Tiffany “No Chill” Teo, at ONE: HEAVY HITTERS in Singapore.
Meng had a thunderous begin to her ONE Championship profession, incomes a pair of first-round knockouts and a dominant unanimous choice victory. That additionally led her to the #2-ranked ladies’s atomweight contender spot.
However her stellar run got here to a screeching halt when she met Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat within the ONE Ladies’s Atomweight World Grand Prix quarterfinals.
The Chinese language star rocked Phogat along with her crisp punches within the opening stanza and got here achingly near ending her proper there. However the Indian survived – after which, she flourished. Phogat used her world-class wrestling to close Meng down and cruise to a unanimous choice victory, eliminating her from the event.
That loss hit Meng exhausting, a lot in order that she even shaved her head. However she used that have to research her weaknesses, enhance upon them, and are available again even stronger.
And now that she is shifting up a weight class and has an opportunity to beat a top-ranked contender, the 25-year-old might acquire some redemption and probably line herself up for a ONE World Title alternative.
Meng talks about that, and extra, on this unique interview.
ONE Championship: The final time we noticed you compete, you had been upset by Ritu Phogat within the ONE Ladies’s Atomweight World Grand Prix quarterfinals in August. What occurred?
Meng Bo: I’m a stand-up athlete, and my expertise on the bottom and cage fence usually are not detailed sufficient, so I misplaced to her.
ONE: It appeared such as you had been on the verge of knocking her out within the first spherical, however Ritu survived. Why don’t you suppose you had been capable of rating the KO?
MB: There was an excessive amount of uncertainty within the match, and I didn’t actually keep in mind what occurred. However at the moment, I felt that my opponent was very resilient and had good flexibility within the cage, so I wasn’t capable of knock her out.
ONE: Ritu resorted to her wrestling to finally win the battle and eradicate you from the Grand Prix. What was going by means of your head after the match?
MB: It positively bothered me, and I felt regretful as a result of I went into the match with the mindset of profitable the Grand Prix. However it’s regular to win or lose, and the method is extra vital. For instance, after that match, I noticed I have to strengthen my floor and cage fence coaching.
ONE: What do you’re feeling was your greatest mistake in that match with Ritu?
MG: The largest mistake was that I didn’t KO her within the first spherical, giving her the chance to take me to the bottom. If I might return in time, I’d positively KO her within the first spherical.
ONE: What new issues have been occurring since that match in August?
MB: I modified my coiffure – I shaved my head – after which determined to strengthen my floor and cage fence coaching. And I watched extra of different folks’s fights to form a stronger coronary heart. I additionally recorded extra movies throughout my coaching to get to know myself higher.
ONE: Any specific purpose why you shaved your head?
MB: A woman should have the expertise of shaving her head in her life. I’m not doing it for others, however to inspire and remind myself.
ONE: You’re shifting up a weight class and going through top-ranked contender Tiffany Teo in your strawweight debut. Does the sort of problem inspire you?
MB: Sure. A brand new problem, a brand new begin. It’s good to problem the highest-level opponents originally.
ONE: What do you suppose are Tiffany’s strengths and weaknesses?
MB: Tiffany’s stand-up and energy are her benefits. I’m not notably clear what her disadvantages are. I solely know that I’ve to strengthen my cage fence and floor expertise.
ONE: Tiffany is thought for being a robust, dynamic striker. However you’re, too. Who’s the higher striker: Tiffany otherwise you?
MB: I watched all her matches, and she or he was truly technically tough, and I used to be extra fluid.
ONE: Tiffany beforehand stated she wasn’t impressed together with your grappling and pointed to Ritu controlling you on the bottom in your final battle. If this battle does hit the bottom, do you’re feeling such as you’ll have one thing to show to her?
MB: I’m not going to show something to her. I’m simply going to do my greatest. There isn’t any have to show something. Though I’m not good on the floor sport and wrestling, I’m not going to purposely show something to her for that. I’ll simply strive my greatest to not let her maintain me down and provides full play to my benefits.
ONE: For those who beat Tiffany, do you’re feeling that ought to make you the #1 strawweight contender? And would you deserve a title shot?
MB: The rating will not be vital to me, however the World Title shot is vital. However let’s win the following bout first.
ONE: Talking of which, Xiong Jing Nan will defend the ONE Ladies’s Strawweight World Title in opposition to Ayaka Miura within the night time’s predominant occasion. Who do you suppose will win?
MB: I feel Xiong Jing Nan will win. Miura truly has nothing besides wrestling, and her stand-up sport is poor, so so long as her takedowns are defended, she shouldn’t have any energy left to wrestle after the primary spherical.
ONE: Each you and Xiong are from China. For those who each win, would you be prepared to problem her for the belt?
MB: I haven’t considered it, however the level is to do your greatest each bout, and if I actually get this chance, I’ll go all out.
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