Women’s strawweights collide on Saturday night, as Xiong Jingnan faces Julia Polastri at UFC Fight Night: Normagomedov vs. Song in Shanghai, China.
Jingnan (19–3, 0–1 UFC) is eager to rebound after dropping a deflating decision to Angela Hill in her Octagon debut in May. Polastri (14–6, 2–3 UFC) is also coming off a loss, a unanimous decision at the hands of Talita Alencar in April.
Polastri enters as a heavy -250 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Xiong is a +205 underdog, with the fight total set at O/U 2.5 rounds.
Xiong vs. Polastri Preview
Xiong Jingnan
- 19–3 (0–1 UFC)
- 10–0 (T)KO
- 1–1 SUB
Xiong Jingnan’s decorated resume took a hit after her UFC debut earlier this year. The inaugural ONE strawweight champion — who amassed a whopping seven title defenses within the promotion — got completely outclassed by a 41-year-old Angela Hill. Granted, the Octagon veteran seemed about 15 years younger amid one of the best performances of her career.
“The Panda” will likely lean on her championship experience as she attempts to bounce back in her homeland on Saturday night. She’ll return to the Octagon with quick hands and fight-ending power. But at 38, questions surround Xiong’s ability to adjust to the UFC this late in her career — especially against a hungry prospect on the rise.
Julia Polastri
- 14–6 (2–3)
- 5–0 (T)KO
- 3–0 SUB
Julia Polastri has alternated wins and losses since her UFC debut in June 2024. The Dana White’s Contender Series graduate is coming off a disheartening decision defeat at the hands of Talita Alencar, noticeably running into trouble on the feet against the less-than-formidable striker.
“Psycho,” 28, is known for her aggressive kickboxing, put on full display in her third-round TKO win over Karolina Kowalkiewicz in October 2025. Still, Polastri is searching for a statement win inside the Octagon — Kowalkiewicz is 40, and her lone other victory over Cory McKenna came by split decision. And on Saturday night, she’ll face her toughest test yet in the former ONE champion Xiong Jingnan.
Xiong vs. Polastri Pick, Best Bet
Despite fighting at a 10-year age disadvantage, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Xiong Jingnan enters Saturday night as a live dog against Julia Polastri. The former long-reigning ONE champion should learn from the mistakes in her debut, letting her fast hands go against a formidable but evidently beatable opponent. As such a heavy underdog, there’s solid value in taking a flyer on Xiong to pick up her first UFC win in her homeland.
