In her last bout in ONE Championship, Rebecca “The Professor” Heintzman-Rozewski slipped up, and lost to eventual ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee.
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Now, a year removed from that bout, the 30-year-old is ready to display her vast improvement. The American will square off against another undefeated Singaporean foe in Tiffany “The Soul Crusher” Teo on Friday, 26 May, at ONE: DYNASTY OF HEROES from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
This time, do not expect “The Professor” to break the same way twice.
“I am going to be more prepared for this match than the last one fans saw me in, that is for sure,” she says. “I am hungry, and I am coming to win.”
Representing Animals MMA, Heintzman-Rozewski is a grappling specialist who holds a 2-2 professional record. She made her debut in October 2013 on America’s regional mixed martial arts circuit, and found initial success until falling via unanimous decision.
Following the defeat, she packed her bags and relocated to Shanghai, China, with her husband, fellow mixed martial artist Kyle Rozewski. Although the two train together, they make sure each of them has time for themselves.
“We have a good balance of support, but separation,” she offers. “If you are training together, it can put a strain on the relationship. There is too much emotion involved in fighting, and a marriage is already emotional. We train together when needed, but we also have solo time due to our schedules.”
Despite having management problems and issues securing bouts, Heintzman-Rozewski was finally able to continue her career upon signing with ONE. Her first assignment was a match with Lee in February 2016 at ONE: TRIBE OF WARRIORS, in which she succumbed to a neck crank submission in the second round.
That was the first time “The Professor” was ever finished in her career, but it taught her a valuable lesson.
“I went in under-prepared and did not fight smart,” the American explains. “Lee is a great opponent and a very talented fighter. It made me realize that if I want to fight at a higher level, I have to be really disciplined about my training. It can be easy to get complacent.”
Now, just a little more than a year since the loss, Heintzman-Rozewski draws another tough assignment at ONE: DYNASTY OF HEROES against the always-dangerous Teo.
Known as “The Soul Crusher,” Teo is a 27-year-old with an extensive Muay Thai background and holds a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She is also a national boxing champion in Singapore.
Teo made her professional mixed martial arts debut in February 2016, where she has since gone 5-0. Most recently, she defeated Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol at ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS in February, the only win of hers to come via decision.
Although “The Professor” respects her rival’s skill set, she believes Teo is now taking a drastic step up in competition.
“I do not think she has dealt with the experience and someone as well-rounded as me. Her opponents have had holes in their games, and she exploited that,” Heintzman-Rozewski offers.
“She can strike and has good hips on the ground. She also has good awareness in terms of maintaining control of her opponent. But that is okay, because I am pretty similarly well-rounded. With all those things considered, I think it is going to be a pretty good scrap.”
