Tiffany Teo hunts her first knockout win in Singapore

Undefeated strawweight contender Tiffany “No Chill” Teo has her sights set on a shot at world championship gold, and is looking to produce something spectacular to really earn it.

The 28-year-old returns to action at ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT on 24 November, and the 6-0 Singaporean says she can’t wait to jump back into the ONE Championship cage at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

What’s more, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong has promised that if Teo wins, she will receive that long-awaited world title opportunity for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship.

“I like it more in Singapore,” she enthused ahead of the bout.

“It is really nice when you walk out and you have a lot of people cheering for you.

“When I compete, I am focused on my opponent, but I realise that every time I land a punch or get a takedown, I can hear the crowd responding, and that is really awesome.

“My long term goal would be getting a shot at the title belt that is currently vacant. Looking at the other female athletes in the division, I am undefeated and I feel like a top contender. I do not mind any opponent they give me – I am ready to take on any one of them.”

Her latest challenge comes in the form of Indian debutant Puja Tomar, who comes into the contest with a promising 3-1 record, with all three wins coming by way of knockout.

“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,” Teo said.

“I think it will be an interesting matchup. It is my second time competing against a southpaw, so I have been working on a lot of angles from which to strike.”

Teo’s last outing saw her claim a decision win over American Rebecca Heintzman-Rozewski at ONE: DYNASTY OF HEROES, in a bout that many expected to provide a tough test for the rising star.

Teo confidently stepped up and dealt with her opponent’s grappling game, showing her improving skills on the mat as she showcased her abilities both as a striker and as a grappler en route to a unanimous decision victory.

“Heintzman-Rozewski was constantly engaging in clinches and going for the takedown,” Teo explained.

“The key was that I was a more well-rounded competitor, and even though I got taken down, I managed to control the bout.

“The win gave me a lot of confidence, but at the same time, I also realised that I need to work on little details with my grappling. I got her in a triangle armbar, but I had difficulty finishing the submission.

“I realised that I know how to set up submissions, but I have to learn how to finish them, so that was one of the things I have been working, among other minor details.”

Teo has shown significant improvements through each of her appearances in the ONE Championship cage, and says that’s down to her analytical approach and willingness to pick over past performances in search for areas that require improvement.

“Every match, even if I win, I will come back to the gym and evaluate my weaknesses and make sure that I am a better competitor for my next bout,” she says.

“I will make it a point that the Tiffany in this match will beat the Tiffany from the last match.”

A former national boxing champion, Teo has spent recent months working hard on her mat skills, as he continues her quest to become a truly well-rounded martial artist who can pose significant threats both in the stand-up and on the ground.

“I went to California a month ago on vacation and trained a bit,” she explained.

“I competed in the NAGA Grappling Championship, one of the major no-gi tournaments in the US, and also in another smaller, in-house gym tournament. I did not really train much for them, but it was a rare opportunity, so I gave it a shot.

“I also started working a lot on my wrestling, because I realised that I gave up quite a few takedowns in May. I got in touch with Wrestling Federation Singapore and started training with the national team, because there are not many wrestling gyms in Singapore.”

Now, with the benefit of that high-level training now a part of her all-round MMA game, Teo says she hopes her improved wrestling skills will allow her to showcase her most refined skillset – her striking – and help her pick up her first genuine knockout victory.

“I am hoping to get a KO win,” she stated.

“I have had submissions and a few unanimous decisions so far, even a TKO, so it will be nice to get a pure knockout.

“I have actually been saying that for a long time, but I have never been able to get it done. Hopefully this time around, I will.”

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