Teo captured Team Singapore's first gold of the Nagoya Games in the women's traditional -60kg event. Photo: SNOC/ Lim Weixiang
Mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Tiffany Teo has worn many hats in her life. Versed in Muay Thai, boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the former ONE Championship fighter has also worked as a yoga instructor, research assistant and behavioural therapist, and even holds a postgraduate diploma in counselling psychology.
On Tuesday (Sep 21) afternoon, she donned a new hat – Asian Games champion.
The 36-year-old made history as Singapore’s first Asian Games MMA gold medallist after a hard-fought overtime win against Uzbekistan’s Khiola Sobirova at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Centre.
Her historic feat also marked the first time the Singapore national anthem was played at this edition of the Games.
It was an even sweeter victory for Teo, who made a comeback in the sport after missing out on fights between 2022 and 2025 due to a lack of competitors.
In the decider, Teo took the initiative with some early pressure en route to a unanimous decision in the first round. It went her opponent’s way in the second round, but a well-timed challenge by head coach and husband Sim Kai Xiong gave Teo a much-appreciated respite late on.
In overtime, Teo went into another gear, securing a single leg takedown on her opponent before completing her revenge mission over the Uzbek who had beaten her in May’s Asian championships and taunted her all throughout the afternoon’s contest.
“She (taunted) me during our last match. I was mentally ready (for it). One skill I have been working on was showmanship… Coming into this bout, I adopted her approach, and I feel it made her doubt herself a bit,” Teo said after the match, adding that her experience in psychology came in handy.
As the judge lifted her hand up to declare her victory, Teo’s tears flowed freely as Sim carried her atop his shoulders and paraded her around the ring to the tune of cheers from the Singaporean supporters.
“I’ve never cried after a fight. I think representing Singapore at the Asian Games is a lot of added pressure, and I have high expectations of myself. When everything came together, I felt really overwhelmed. Even though I was tearing up, they were tears of joy.”
“Honestly, (Sim) has been the MVP (most valuable player) of my entire fight career. Even before May's Asian Championship, he has been my sparring partner since my very first MMA fight.”
“We have been training together for more than a decade, so he has been a very big part of my career, and I'm very thankful that he could be the national team coach to continue to help me out throughout this journey.”
Teo’s journey as an athlete has been hardly linear. The prolific fighter, who racked up an impressive 8-2 record with One Championship from 2016 to 2022, had to miss out on crucial fight experience for the three years that followed.
In 2024, the husband and wife pair opened their own gym, Homeground MMA, and coached classes together.
But Teo eventually found her way back into the octagon when Sim, who was the first Singaporean to take part in the Road to UFC series, stepped in to get her on a fight card in China.
Training at Shanghai UFC Performance Institute, Sim sourced an opportunity for Teo to compete at a local event as she made a long-awaited return to the cage in June 2025 at the JCK International Fight Centre in Shanxi, China.
Despite losing to UFC fighter Liang Na by submission in the third round, it helped shed any ring rust for Teo, who went on to make a splash with silver at May’s Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championship, booking her ticket to this Asiad.
“During my time away from the sport, I didn't know the Asian Games was a possibility. I am glad that even though I didn't have a fight, I continued training so that when the opportunity arrived, I was ready,” said Teo.
And the opportunity arrived – her selection was confirmed on June 26 after the Singapore National Olympic Council Appeals Committee met to consider additional nominations submitted by the national sports associations
Concluding a memorable gold at her debut Games, Teo also hopes that the sport, which made its maiden appearance at the Asian Games in this edition, will be added to the Olympic programme in future.
“Coming from a professional MMA background, it’s a lot of figuring out as you go… you don’t know when your next fight is… With this format, there are always competitions, and this helps athletes develop through different stages.”
“This is great for athletes to develop from a beginner to a higher level.”
And with gold in hand, Teo also promised to be a regular fixture in the sport.
“As long as I am healthy and ready, I would like to pursue it further.”
The 20th Asian Games are held in Japan from 19 September to 4 October 2026. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.