Xiong Jingnan
Career Averages
Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Xiong (-210); Hill (+175)
Round 1
Former ONE champ Xiong (19-2) has been one of the top women operating outside the UFC for at least six years. She finally makes her Octagon debut against “Overkill” Hill (18-16), who has been in the thick of things in the UFC strawweight division literally since the beginning. Mark Craig draws his first referee assignment of the evening. Hill declines the glove touch offered by Xiong and they’re off to work, both women in orthodox stance. Xiong hurts Hill with a couple of punches, but Hill comes right back and lands a three-piece flurry that sits the Chinese fighter down for an instant, more off-balance than hurt. Hill pursues and meet Xiong by the fence, where she takes the Thai clinch and tries to drive some knees up the middle. Xiong shucks her off and lands a couple of hard punches, and they break away from the fence. Two minutes down in a frenetic first round and Hill again grabs the Thai plam against the fence, kneeing Xiong in the gut and then throwing a front kick to the head when Xiong breaks the clinch. They meet again and Hill looks for a guillotine, but can’t get it. Xiong sticks Hill with a hard one-two, then gets rocked by a lovely flying knee-to-punch combination. Ninety seconds to go and Hill steps into the pocket, meeting Xiong with another intercepting knee. Hill stalks forward and catches Xiong with another knee, then a front kick up the middle. Xiong is still throwing back, but is clearly taken aback by the American’s relentless attack. Xiong lands a spinning kick, then grabs a headlock at the 10-second clapper. The horn sounds.
10-9 Hill.
Round 2
Hill comes forward again to open Round 2 and Xiong gives ground, then plants and fires a one-two that glance off the guard. Hill keeps coming forward, landing a jab and a switch kick to the body. Xiong halts Hill’s advance with a nice jab to the body. Xiong meets Hill’s next advance with a spinning backfist that lands cleanly but without much on it. Hill dips a shoulder and drives her foe to the fence, then hooks a leg and dumps Xiong to the mat. She takes top position but can’t get anything underway before the bigger woman surges back to her feet. Xiong steps into the pocket and gets kneed to the face. Xiong comes up short with a pair of hooks and the action slows just a tick in the second half of the frame. Hill hops into the pocket with a jab and right cross, slips the counter and lands a nice right hook. Xiong steps forward and right into another intercepting knee to the body, but comes back with a pair of hard hooks. Xiong takes a level elbow in close quarters, then a knee to the face. The 10-second clapper sounds and Hill comes forward, slapping a glancing kick off Xiong’s face before the horn.
10-9 Hill.
Round 3
If our scorecards are any indicator, Xiong needs to do something big here, and she seems to agree, as she comes forward and lands the first significant blows of the round, a pair of solid hooks. Hill knees her up the middle and within seconds, it’s once again the American on the front foot. Xiong circles away, conscious that Hill is trying to walk her into the fence, and meets an advance with a flurry of hooks to the body. Hill backs off and flicks out a front kick to the belly. Hill slides into the pocket and is met with a glancing elbow to the face. Hill steps in, launches a flying knee that does not land cleanly, but follows up with a front headlock, which she releases quickly. The round is half gone and it’s still very much Hill’s fight, as she is marching forward fearlessly on the bigger woman and landing almost anything she wants. Ninety seconds to go in the round and Xiong is still looking to land the huge shot or shots that might save the day for her, but Hill is throwing, and landing, far more. Hill rushes forward and drives Xiong to the fence where she takes her opponent’s back standing, snaking one leg around for a single hook. She can’t get it, but the last20 seconds find her pursuing her hurt foe along the fence with a swarm of punches, looking for a late finish. The final horn sounds on an absolutely sensational showing by Angela Hill.
10-9 Hill (30-27 Hill).
The Official Result
Angela Hill def. Jingnan Xiong via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Expert Picks (17)
AJ confidently picks Xiong Jingnan, citing her high-level boxing, power, and precision compared to Hill's volume without power. He notes Hill is 41 and slowing, while Xiong is younger (38) and has been inactive but dominant. AJ expects Xiong to land big shots and win a decision, though Hill has never been KO'd. He also mentions Xiong's wrestling defense and ground-and-pound as additional tools.
AJ picks Xiong Jingnan because she has good boxing, national team level, and is accurate with forward pressure. He thinks Xiong will win the battle of real estate and land more impactful shots, while Angela Hill relies on volume and movement. He notes Hill is 41 and coming off two straight losses, though he wants to see weigh-ins to confirm size. He calls it a tricky fight and a coin flip.
Angelo picks Xiong because she is a powerful striker who moves forward with wild looping punches. He thinks Angela Hill doesn't have the one-punch power to stop that forward pressure, and the judges in China will favor the aggressor. He is not betting on the fight due to the odds.
Angelo picks Xiong Jingnan despite her age and level of competition concerns, because her aggressive forward pressure and power will not give Angela Hill the space she needs to work. He notes that Angela Hill is a crafty veteran who could implement a grappling game plan, but he favors the home fighter who moves forward and bombs away. He acknowledges the competition gap but believes the style matchup favors Jingnan.
Angelo picks Xiong Jingnan, citing her pressure and aggression, and the likelihood of Chinese judges favoring the Chinese fighter. He notes Angela Hill is durable and a live underdog, but expects a decision win for Xiong. He sees more upside in Hill for DraftKings due to potential volume.
Big Brady picks Angela Hill but is hesitant, calling it a 'trap' fight. He notes Hill is older (41) but more active, while Jingnan is 38 and has fought only twice in four years. He believes Hill has a grappling advantage and has never been knocked out, but worries the UFC wants Jingnan to win in China. He says it's a 'dog or pass' fight and he'll probably stay away.
Cody picks Xiong Jingnan despite not loving it. He notes that Angela Hill is 41 and often loses close decisions, and that the fight is in China, which may favor the local fighter. He believes Xiong hits harder and is faster, and that Hill's volume may not be enough to sway judges. Cody expects a close fight but thinks Xiong will get the nod.
Connor picks Xiong Jingnan, noting Hill can make Xiong tired and could win with takedowns, but Hill's offense is ineffectual and she is not physically imposing. Xiong may hit harder in exchanges, similar to how strong punchers have punished Hill recently.
Jacob picks Xiong but is hesitant because of her age (38) and the trap fight potential. He notes that Angela Hill is durable and has never been knocked out, so if Xiong slows down, Hill could take over. He acknowledges that many people like Hill as a dog.
Lucrative James picks Angela Hill as a plus money underdog, questioning why Xiong Jingnan is such a big favorite. He notes Hill's durability (not finished since 2019), volume, and experience against top competition, while Xiong has fought lower-level opponents and may have lost her last fight under 1FC rules. He believes Hill can win a decision by outworking Xiong with volume and clinch work.
The host leans with Jingnan, believing she throws with more power than Hill and that her Muay Thai approach will edge her ahead. He notes both fighters are similar stylistically but expects Jingnan's power to be the difference, similar to how Lucindo beat Hill. He still expects a competitive fight and doesn't mind an underdog shot on Hill.
The host picks Xiong Jingnan over Angela Hill, noting both have Muay Thai bases but Jingnan lands with more emphasis, which will leave a lasting impression on judges. He expects Jingnan to win on the scorecards.
Paul picks Hill as a value play, noting that she has been fighting higher-level competition and that this is a step down. He acknowledges Hill's age and tendency to lose close decisions but thinks +165 is too high for a 50/50 fight. He is concerned about the China factor but believes Hill's experience gives her an edge.
The Guru picks Jingnan Xiong despite her age and debut, citing her elite boxing fundamentals, brutal body hooks, and takedown defense. He believes her power will be too much for Angela Hill, who is a volume point-fighter without real power. He expects Jingnan to time right-hand shots and land heavier punches.
The Guru picks Jingnan by TKO, likely via body shot to head shot combo. He notes Hill is durable but thinks body shots can put anyone away. He highlights Jingnan's power, body work, and combinations, while Hill lacks power but has volume and toughness. He expects a knockout rather than a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Xiong Jingnan to win by decision. He thinks the odds are too wide but still believes Xiong will win. He notes that Xiong is a boxer with offensive skills but poor defense, but Angela Hill is 41 and a striker who won't wrestle. He expects Xiong to pressure and land consistently, winning a decision.
Zane picks Xiong Jingnan as a gamble on Hill no longer being able to enforce enough offense. Hill is 41 and her close fights are turning into losses. Xiong is a slugger with limited wrestling, but Hill's offense is increasingly ineffectual.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!