An Interview with Ambassador Vian Singleton After His Win at Versus 16
When Vian Singleton stepped into the cage at Versus 16, it wasn’t just about a fight — it was about bringing every hour of training, every disciplined meal, every sacrifice into one moment. As one of the first athletes to be officially sponsored by Senbono, Vian carries more than gloves when stepping into the ring. He carries a brand that supports local athletes and his own story of discipline and ambition. In this end-to-end interview, we dig into the philosophy, the pressure, and the payoff behind the win.
Question: How did it feel stepping into the cage at Versus 16?
Vian: “Before stepping in, I took a moment to ask God to be with both me and my opponent — that everything would be done through His will…”
Question: What was going through your head in the moments before the fight began?
Vian: “When the announcer started going through the fight records and introducing both fighters, I remember kneeling and focusing on staying present. I didn’t want to get caught up in the lights outside the cage. It was all about staying grounded.”
Question: Was there a specific game plan going in?
Vian: “I didn’t have a specific game plan going in. I didn’t know much about my opponent, so I focused on what I could do to tilt the fight in my favour and play to my strengths.”
Question: What was your toughest moment during the match?
Vian: “Near the end of Round 1, I really wanted to get the finish. I had to dig deep when I heard there were 30 seconds left — it was all about pushing through and giving everything I had in that moment.”
Question: What did this victory mean to you personally and professionally?
Vian: “Professionally, this was only my second amateur MMA fight. At the second Versus event, I told one of the main organisers that I really wanted to take part one day. So to finally get that opportunity at Versus 16 and walk away with a win felt incredible. It’s a good indication of things to come — and personally, it was just a huge sense of accomplishment seeing all the hard work pay off.”
Question: Discipline clearly plays a big role in your life. How do you balance it all?
Vian: “Being a second-year Investment Management student at Tuks is challenging on its own. It takes a lot of self-discipline to sit down, focus, and get the work done. But nothing compares to the discipline MMA demands — training, eating right, managing sleep, time, and energy efficiently. At the end of the day, you have to be disciplined in the cage, because if you’re not, you risk getting knocked out in front of your friends and family. That’s quite a strong motivator.”
Question: Is there a specific mindset or mantra that you carry into each fight?
Vian: “Definitely. I always say there’s no such thing as luck. Luck increases with better preparation. Confidence comes from knowing you’ve put in more than your opponent. At the end of the day, your opponent is just another person with two arms and two legs. Preparation is what makes the difference, and I know that I will always do more to prepare than my opponent.”
Question: What does it mean to represent a brand like Senbono, one that supports local athletes?
Vian: “It’s an honour to be part of the launch. My friends and family have been asking about the brand, and everyone’s impressed with the quality. I love that Senbono supports local athletes — and honestly, I’m blown away by the value. The quality and price point are both amazing, especially when compared to the more expensive brands out there.”
Question: What do you like most about your Senbono Smartwatch, and how does it fit into your training or recovery?
Vian: “There are a lot of features that stand out. I really like the customisation options and the screen quality — it’s super clear.
I also love that it fits into my lifestyle outside the cage. I enjoy fishing, and the atmospheric pressure feature is great for that, as pointed out by my Dad. The LED light is ridiculously bright for like when you go camping.
Battery life is another win. I only charge it when I shower, and it never drops below 80%. The setup is also very easy, and the health tracking features like heart rate, blood oxygen, stress levels also help manage and preserve my energy before a fight – having those statistics help quite a lot to make sure that I am ready and well prepared beforehand.”
Question: What’s one lesson the fight world has taught you that applies to everyday life?
Vian: “Everyone is fighting a battle you don’t know about. Discipline and resilience are key. One of my favourite quotes is from Rocky: ‘It’s not about how hard you hit—it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.’
You just have to bite down on your figurative gum guard and push through, because whether you win or lose, you’ll be okay.”
Question: If you had to sum up the moment in one word, what would it be—and why?
Vian: “Fulfilling. When you walk into the cage, all the responsibility falls on you. That accountability is something I love — especially when it pays off. Winning like this makes all the effort worth it.”
What’s Next for Vian & Senbono?
As Vian Singleton’s career builds momentum, we at Senbono are proud to be in his corner. His discipline, clarity and readiness reflect exactly what our brand stands for.
For athletes. For students. For anyone balancing performance and purpose. The message is clear: stay disciplined, trust your tools, and embrace the moment.
Stay tuned as we follow Vian’s next chapter — and keep your wrist on the watch that backs the fighters, both figuratively and literally.