S’porean MMA fighter Tiffany Teo books Asian Games final berth after draw controversy

NAGOYA – The weight of an aluminium kettle was what decided the fate of Singapore’s mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Tiffany Teo.

On Sept 21, that 1.05kg was the difference that sent Teo through to the Asian Games final, after her traditional 60kg semi-final bout with India’s Suchika Tariyal ended in a draw.

The drama at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center began when the duo drew level after the first two rounds. In the overtime round, Teo took the win after the judges ruled in the 36-year-old’s favour and the match appeared done and dusted.

But Tariyal – who was visibly displeased with the outcome and refused to acknowledge her opponent – and her team proceeded to challenge the decision.

The Straits Times understands that as per procedure, the overtime round was video-reviewed by a different set of referees, who overturned Teo’s earlier win and awarded a draw. As a result, a weight tiebreaker was then applied, under the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association’s rules.

But Teo was eventually named the winner because she was slightly lighter at the morning weigh-in – she had tipped the scales at 58.8kg, while her opponent was 59.85kg.

She will face Khilola Sobirova of Uzbekistan, who beat Cambodia’s Cheng Dalin in the earlier semi-final, in the final on Sept 22.

Teo, who spoke to the media before the appeal was lodged, said: “I’m glad that I did enough to get the win because the gold medal has always been the end goal. So I came into this match determined to get the win.

“When I heard that (there was an extra round), I tried my best to control my breathing, let my heart rate come down, and my mental state was that this is the time to give it all I’ve got... leave nothing behind.

“I told myself, ‘You don’t want to leave at this stage and end up regretting you didn’t do enough.’ So when the round started, I was ready to really just give my all and do my best.”

While Teo celebrated after her hand was raised by the referee, her Indian opponent broke down in tears.

Tariyal later told Indian media outlet Hindustan Times: “I did not agree with this decision at all, even on the mat, because this decision was not fair.

“The judges... the fight would have gone in my favour, but they didn’t even listen to our side. They rejected the objection and decided it based on weight, saying her weight was lower.

“I didn’t fail the weigh-in, I gave my full weight strictly under 60kg. If I had weighed in a bit lower, maybe I could have won today.”

A spokesman for the Mixed Martial Arts Association of Singapore (MMAAS) told ST that “the outcome was determined in accordance with the applicable competition rules and the arbitration process following the appeal”.

He added: “We understand that the circumstances may have been unexpected, particularly as the match ultimately came down to the weight-based tie-breaking criterion under the relevant rules. As this was a matter determined through the established arbitration process, MMAAS respects the outcome and the procedures that were followed.”

Teo’s weight discipline has reaped rewards at the Asiad, where she has had to adapt to fighting on consecutive days and making weight daily, unlike professional MMA bouts where fighters train for months and cut weight just before the match.

The former One Championship athlete said: “I have got the hang of it. So now, I don’t really have to cut much, so for the past two days, I’ve been weighing in a bit underweight. And I’m still eating well.”

On Sept 20, Teo defeated her Iranian opponent Arezou Salimighalehtaki by unanimous decision in the quarter-finals to claim Singapore’s first Asiad medal in the sport, which is making its debut at the continental event.

With both losing semi-finalists awarded joint-bronze medals, Teo was assured of at least a medal regardless of the result of her semi-final.

She is now targeting a historic Games gold and will need to overcome an opponent who beat her in May in the final of the 2026 Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championships.

Teo said: “I focus on things within my control, and I believe that by putting forth my best effort, my best skill set, it will lead me to the goal of the gold medal.

“I believe she (Sobirova) will be entering the match with a similar game plan as the last time round, which we have extensively prepared for.”