Meng Bo discusses Tiffany Teo clash at ONE: Heavy Hitters
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Meng Bo and Tiffany Teo test skills in a consequential and intriguing strawweight fight at ONE: Heavy Hitters. This takes place on January 14th and emanates from Singapore Indoor Stadium.
I spoke with Bo ahead of this clash and excerpts from our chat are below.
New aspects added to the training camp as Bo transitions to a different weight category–
“This is my first time trying strawweight in ONE Championship. I’m actually training with a team that’s more of a grappling and wrestling team. And we’ve been preparing for some techniques of how to fight against the cage. How to grapple, how to wrestle, more like that. That’s what I’m adding new in my new camp.”
If the Strawweight move was a goal for a while or if it was a “fresh coat of paint” scenario after being ousted from the ONE Atomweight Grand Prix–
“I know I lost my last fight in the Atomweight Grand Prix. But that wasn’t the reason of why I’m now jumping into strawweight. It’s actually a long preparation. And I’m hoping to stay at strawweight in the future. Because it’s actually more fit to my body condition. That’s the reason why I’m now in the strawweight.”
Meng Bo
If there are different dietary options available as well as increased strength and conditioning that Meng wasn’t able to do before as an Atomweight–
“I am a striker, a hitter. When I used to stay at atomweight, every time when I fight I have to lose a lot of weight. And that actually affected a lot of my condition. My power, my strength. So I think strawweight for me, it actually helped me to express myself more. Because I can swing how I love to swing. Punch how I love to punch.”
If a Strawweight Meng Bo means that same big punching power but with a stronger cardio base to sustain greater output–
“The strawweight version of me is definitely going to be a better version of me at atomweight. Like I said, I’m a striker and I want to strike harder.”
ONE Championship
The mentality getting to fight such a high-level contender and multi-time title challenger in Tiffany Teo–
“I’m very grateful for ONE Championship to give me this opportunity. And I think it’s actually a very great opportunity for me to stay. To rise myself in the strawweight division. But to be honest, I don’t care if my opponent has challenged the title for how many times. Or how she ranked in the top rankings. I don’t see that as a threat or anything. I’m just focusing on myself.”
Meng Bo continued, “I don’t think much of what’s going to happen if I beat a top number one ranking. If I could get a title shot or not. I’m just focusing on this match specifically. But also if I could get a title (shot) right after this, I will be very grateful. For sure.”
Tiffany Teo’s striking acumen and if Meng Bo sees this fight as largely playing out to the feet–
“The whole world just saw me from the last fight get finished on the ground. I got a good advantage on striking but then I fall on the ground. I think she might probably try to finish me the same way. Maybe grab me, wrestle me. That’s why I’ve been preparing a lot for wrestling and grappling. I think she knows very well how good I punch. How good I strike. So I don’t think she will take the chance to strike with me. I think it’s gonna be probably a grappling match. And it’s gonna probably end on the ground. But it’s gonna be my hands be right in raising.”
Bo shaving her head after the Ritu Phogat loss and the symbolism of that gesture–
“I was shaving my head because I want to keep in mind of that feeling. That feeling of how losing feels like. I didn’t shave my head to show it to anybody. I’m showing it to myself to keep that in mind.”
Meng Bo’s new year’s resolutions for 2022–
“Well at the beginning of the last year, I said I’m going to be the atomweight world champion, for sure. And now I’m at strawweight, I don’t want to say that I’m gonna be the strawweight world champion at the end of the year. I don’t want to say anything like that anymore. But I want to say that I don’t want to lose any fights this year. I want to have a perfect winning streak to close this year. And start a whole new career of next year.”
ONE: Heavy Hitters
The future of Chinese MMA and how that could take on the form of multiple belts–
“I’m very willing to see one day that two Chinese women fighting for a world title belt. I want to show that fight to all the Chinese fans. Also, I think that sister (Xiong Jing) Nan is an idol of me and I have always admired her. And I gotta be honest, I think in the near future, both the atomweight world belts and the strawweight world belts will all be in the hold of a Chinese person. No matter if it’s gonna be me for atomweight, Xiong for strawweight, or both in my hand. No matter what.”
Bo’s feelings on multiple pundits seeing her as a strong candidate for being ONE strawweight world champion by the end of the year–
“I’m actually very grateful. I think the more you guys expect me to be the champion or to be the better version of myself, the more I am possible to be that better version of myself. And I actually hope that I could actually be there. As you guys predicted. I think I could be.”
Meng Bo being the youngest of four sisters and their thoughts on her MMA career–
“At the beginning, none of my family members agreed for me to be an MMA fighter for sure. Because I’m the youngest girl. But since I insist and nobody could stop me, now I become a star. Fighting on the world stage, having a very good performance, good record. Everybody started to support me. My family, my friends, and I think now they all see me as their pride. I’m very happy for that.”
Parting thoughts for Meng Bo-
“I’m very grateful for everybody. My fans, all the people watching me around the world for supporting me. I want people to support more China MMA. Especially China women MMA and we will be better. We will not fail you guys. Thank you.”
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