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From Shaolin Temple to MMA: China’s Xie Wei’s Looks to Prove the Strength of a Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu

From Shaolin Temple to MMA: China's Xie Wei’s Journey Looks to Prove Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu Strength China’s Xie Wei has gone from training as a Shaolin monk to becoming a rising star in MMA. The…

China’s Xie Wei has gone from training as a Shaolin monk to becoming a rising star in MMA. The Chinese fighter ‘The Hunter’ has built a reputation as a knockout artist, blending his traditional Kung Fu martial arts background with modern MMA techniques.

From Shaolin Monk to MMA Fighter

At 14, Xie Wei left his hometown to join the legendary Shaolin Temple in Henan Province. Over four years, he trained in Shaolin Kung Fu, a discipline known for its physical rigor and spiritual focus. By the time he left, Xie had become a martial arts instructor, but he wanted more.

“I’ve considered martial arts my passion since I entered the Shaolin Temple,” Xie shared in an interview. “With mixed martial arts, I’m lucky to have my passion as my job.” In 2016, Xie decided to leave the temple to pursue MMA, a decision that initially disappointed his family. Their support came later, once they saw his potential in the sport.
Climbing the MMA ranks in ONE Championship.

From Shaolin Temple to MMa Chinas Xie Weis Journey Looks to Prove Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu Strength

Xie started his MMA career in 2017, competing in regional Chinese promotions before catching the attention of ONE Championship. He entered through the ONE Hero and Warrior Series, where he won five consecutive fights, all by knockout or TKO. His official ONE Championship debut came against top flyweight contender Danny Kingad. Although Xie lost by unanimous decision, he proved he could compete at a high level.

Since then, the Chinese athlete Xie has bounced back with a string of impressive wins, including TKO victories over Chan Rothana, Kantharaj Agasa, and Dae Hwan Kim. Competing at the highest levels, he has suffered three consecutive losses to top opponents but will be looking to bounce back soon.

China’s Xie Wei

Currently 21-8, Xie Wei is on a mission to become one of China’s first male world champions in ONE Championship.
“I’ve already passed the hardest test in my debut against Kingad,” Xie said. “That’s history now. I’ll get back to my winning streak and work toward becoming a champion.”

With his unique blend of Shaolin Kung Fu and MMA, Xie Wei is making waves in the flyweight division. Up next, Xie hopes to climb higher in the rankings and move closer to a title shot in ONE Championship. For now, ‘The Hunter’ remains focused, determined, and ready for the challenges ahead.

From Shaolin Temple to MMA: China’s Xie Wei’s Looks to Prove the Strength of a Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu

China’s Xie Wei has gone from training as a Shaolin monk to becoming a rising star in MMA. The…

From Shaolin Monk to MMA Fighter

China’s Xie Wei

Florim Zendeli Captures $100,000 with a first round Rear-Naked Choke in the PFL Finals “It’s easy.”

Italy’s Daniele Miceli faced Albania’s Florim Zendeli in the highly anticipated PFL Europe Welterweight Championship bout. Both fighters successfully…

Italy’s Daniele Miceli faced Albania’s Florim Zendeli in the highly anticipated PFL Europe Welterweight Championship bout. Both fighters successfully made weight at 169.9 lbs, to determine the division’s tournament champion and walk away with $100,000.

PFL Europe Welterweight Championship: Daniele Miceli vs. Florim Zendeli

Daniele Miceli has been a standout throughout the tournament, utilizing his skillset to dominate his opponents. The Italian fighter advanced to the final after a TKO victory over Ibrahima Mané in the semi-finals and a submission win over France’s Yassin Najid in the quarter-finals.

Florim Zendeli, representing Albania, has shown remarkable grit and determination on his road to the final. He secured a split decision win over England’s Jack Grant in the semi-finals after submitting Poland’s Tomasz ?angowski in the opening round of the tournament.

After trading heavy punches, the aggressive Florim Zendeli secured a takedown and got his hooks in. He earned a first-round submission win using a rear-naked choke to earn the PFL Europe Welterweight world title. In his post-fight interview, he said he wants to compete in the PFL stateside for $1,000,000 next. Walking the audience through how he won via submission he said, “It’s easy.”

Paulina Wi?niewska quickly defeats Valentina Scatizzi with Ground and Pound

Paulina Wi?niewska vs. Valentina Scatizzi faced off for the PFL Europe’s Women’s Flyweight Championship and $100,000 on the line….

Paulina Wi?niewska vs. Valentina Scatizzi faced off for the PFL Europe’s Women’s Flyweight Championship and $100,000 on the line. Paulina Wi?niewska wasted no time stopping her opponent with a takedown and ground and pound

PFL Europe Women’s Flyweight Championship: Paulina Wi?niewska vs. Valentina Scatizzi

Wi?niewska entered the final after an impressive tournament run She secured a TKO victory over Ireland’s Dee Begley in the semi-finals and dominated Lizzy Gevers of the Netherlands in the quarter-finals with a unanimous decision win.

Scatizzi, a rising star from Italy, has proven her resilience throughout the tournament. She earned a unanimous decision win over France’s Marie Louiseau in the semi-finals and lost to England’s Shanelle Dyer via split decision in the quarter-finals. But, Dyer dropped out to injury so Scatizzi was put back in the finals. Valentina Scatizzi was looking to capture a title after losing in the finals to Dakota Ditcheva in 2023.

Poland’s Paulina Wi?niewska quickly transitioned from a Thai clinch to landing a knee, then finishing her off with a series of unanswered shots. The knee dropped the Italian athlete but she tried to protest as hs believed that she was working her way back to her feet. Paulina Wi?niewska stays undefeated and adds PFL gold to her name.

Paulina Wisniewska — Fight Night during 2024 PFL EUROPE 2: Newcastle at Utilita Arena in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Jose Peñuela / PFL Europe 2)

Alexander Gustafsson Leaves UFC for New Deals with GFL and BKFC

Alexander Gustafsson is set to leave the UFC after his manager, Majdi Shammas, confirmed that the promotion agreed to…

Alexander Gustafsson is set to leave the UFC after his manager, Majdi Shammas, confirmed that the promotion agreed to release him from his contract. Gustafsson has signed with the Global Fighting League (GFL) on an appealing deal, which provides flexibility for the Swedish fighter to take on other bouts outside of the organization.

Alexander Gustafsson with the GFL

“We asked the UFC to release Alex from his contract. They agreed, and we’re grateful for that,” Shammas told Maximum Sports. The manager added that Gustafsson’s new contract with GFL is an exciting opportunity, with potential for future matches and non-exclusive opportunities. “It’s a very attractive contract, and Alex is free to pick and choose from other bouts as well, which is great for us,” Shammas said.

Shammas also spoke highly of the GFL, calling it an organization with an ambitious team ready to launch in 2025. He described the setup as a hybrid between past leagues like the IFL and today’s PFL tournaments, offering better conditions for athletes.

Alexander Gustafsson with BKFC

As for Gustafsson’s next steps, Shammas confirmed that the fighter has received an enticing offer from BKFC. While a deal has not yet been signed, it’s likely that Gustafsson will join BKFC and face a UFC or Bellator veteran in the near future.

“Alex is in very good shape. He has looked good in training and has gotten his fire back. He is excited and eager for what is to come,” Shammas added.

“The Mauler” Gustafsson is a renowned UFC Light Heavyweight fighter with an 18-8 record, including 11 knockouts. Despite never winning a UFC title, he has earned respect for his performances, including memorable battles against Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.

Exclusive | Tessa De Kom: “A Girl Can Kick Your Ass” – The Rise of Kickboxing’s Next Big Star

Tessa De Kom has already carved out a name for herself as one of the most promising kickboxers in…

Tessa De Kom has already carved out a name for herself as one of the most promising kickboxers in the world. The Dutch fighter, who holds both the Enfusion Women’s Strawweight and RISE Women’s Flyweight titles, is preparing for a showdown at RISE 184 in Tokyo on December 15, 2024, where she will defend her Flyweight title against the dangerous knockout striker Arina Kobayashi.

Tessa De Kom vs. Arina Kobayashi

For Tessa De Kom, this fight is of years of hard work and dedication. “I think this is my biggest fight so far, so I’m really looking forward to it. And yeah, it’s a really good opponent—she’s very strong, aggressive. It’s going to be a very tough and hard fight,” De Kom says. However, despite the tough challenge ahead, she’s never felt more confident in her abilities. “I trained really, really hard for it, but I’ve never felt so good about a fight before. So, yeah, I think I will be at my best,” she adds.

The preparations for this title defense have been intense. Tessa De Kom’s training camp may have been shorter than usual, but she’s made every session count. “It’s a short preparation, but I think, because of the preparation before, it doesn’t matter. The ideal schedule is a training camp of six to eight weeks, I think. But yeah, when there’s a chance like this, I can’t say no—I have to go.”

“A Girl Can Kick Your Ass”

In a sport dominated by men, Tessa De Kom explains her attitude. “Well, don’t be scared that they’ll look at you differently or say, ‘Yeah, you’re a girl; you punch like a girl.’ Just say, ‘Yeah, I punch like a girl, and a girl can kick your ass!’ Every girl can do that. If you want to go to kickboxing, you should really do it. You’ll feel great about yourself.”

And her confidence isn’t just limited to her words—she’s also put in the work to back them up. Her professional record stands at an impressive 14-3, capturing both the Enfusion Women’s Strawweight and RISE Women’s Flyweight titles along the way. In fact, when asked about her recent success, Tessa De Kom notes, “I feel really good. But, there are always some points that need to be better, so we need to work on that. But overall, I feel happy that everything went so well. Yeah, I think it was like a dream.”

But it’s not all about the fight. De Kom is balancing her demanding training schedule with her education, as she’s currently in finishing her final year of studying sports marketing and management at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. “Yeah, it’s a lot, but both are important. If I had to choose right now, I’d say the fight is more important to me. But I told that to my teacher yesterday, and he wasn’t so happy about it,” she admits with a laugh.

Sleeping with the Belt

The champion keeps her RISE title close, even if it means a bit of discomfort. “At first, I had it just next to me in my bed. Yeah, I slept with it. But then I realized the material was very cold, so when I’d turn around and feel it at night, I’d wake up. That wasn’t the best place for it. So, I put it in the gym where everyone can see it. I hope it motivates people. It also motivates me during training when it gets tough—I just push harder.”

Her next fight will be in Japan, a place that holds a special place in De Kom’s heart. “It was really good. The people were very nice and helped me with everything. It’s a shame I couldn’t stay longer, but this time I will, so I can see more of the country and visit different cities.” The trip is also a reminder of how far she’s come since her early days in kickboxing. “When I first heard about this opportunity, I felt like, ‘Huh? Did I hear that right?’ But yeah, it was really cool.”

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As for the future, De Kom is focused on defending her title and continuing to prove that she belongs at the top of the kickboxing world. “My game plan is to win, of course. But I don’t want to say too much about it. I will be more powerful, and I won’t back down,” she says, her confidence unwavering.

When her hand is raised in victory at RISE 184, it will be just another chapter in a story that is only getting started for Tessa De Kom.

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