ONE Championship News
Manager: Usman Nurmagomedov is "a better version" of cousin Khabib
Tom Taylor - August 4, 2020
Ali Abdelaziz, the CEO of MMA management firm Dominance MMA, says that undefeated lightweight prospect Usman Nurmagomedov is even better than his cousin, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Speaking to Andy Whitelaw of Asian MMA, Abdelaziz was asked to identify the brightest prospects he currently represents—prospects like Khamzat Chimaev, who recently burst into the limelight in the UFC.
Ali Abdelaziz on partnership with ONE Championship: 'This is going to be good for everybody'
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2020
Earlier this week, ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced a new partnership with MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz and his company, Dominance MMA. Abdelaziz and Sityodtong were first introduced through their mutual friend, Renzo Gracie, but only recently began working together. Both agree the relationship is long overdue.
Vitor Belfort says Wanderlei Silva deserves a "beating"
Adam Martin - July 30, 2020
MMA legend Vitor Belfort once again called out his long-time rival Wanderlei Silva, saying his fellow Brazilian deserves a “beating.” Two of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, Belfort and Silva first met almost 22 years ago, back at UFC Brazil in October 1998. In one of the greatest knockouts of all time, the young phenom Belfort blitzed Silva and finished him in just 44 seconds in what is still one of the most stunning, brutal, and violent finishes we’ve ever seen in mixed martial arts.
VaynerSports enters MMA management industry, signs multiple stars
Tom Taylor - July 28, 2020
VaynerSports, a talent agency that is already established in professional football, baseball and e-sports, has entered the MMA industry. This news was first reported by veteran MMA reporter Mike Russell, and confirmed in a release on Tuesday.
Rodtang Jitmuangnon excited to complete trilogy with Petchdam on July 31
Tom Taylor - July 24, 2020
ONE Championship returns to Bangkok, Thailand, with ONE: NO Surrender on Friday, July 31. Headlining the promotion’s return card will be a trilogy bout for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Petchdam Petchyindee Academy. Prior to joining the organization, the Thai strikers met at the world-famous Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok twice – Petchdam took the first meeting by decision in 2017, and Rodtang evened the score a year later.
Petchdam exudes confidence ahead of ONE Championship showdown with Rodtang
Tom Taylor - July 23, 2020
Petchdam Petchyindee Academy knows his shot at Rodtang Jitmuangnon and the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship at ONE: No Surrender is a golden opportunity. The always exciting Thai, who will look to settle the score with his former foe on July 31 in Bangkok, Thailand, is grateful that he can get back to work following of inactivity due to COVID-19.
ONE Championship announces 10 events, starting on July 31
Tom Taylor - July 13, 2020
ONE Championship is set to return from its coronavirus-related hiatus with a procession of 10 events, starting on July 31. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced the organization’s comeback plans on Facebook on Monday morning.
Henry Cejudo teases "super legacy fight" with Demetrious Johnson
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
Former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo recently teased a “super legacy fight” with ONE Championship star Demetrious Johnson. Cejudo and Johnson have met twice previously. The pair first fought in 2019, when Johnson still held the UFC flyweight title in a vice grip. On that night, Johnson blew Cejudo away with a first-round TKO victory.
VIDEO | Vitor Belfort in phenomenal shape ahead of ONE Championship debut
Tom Taylor - July 1, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort looks to be in truly phenomenal shape ahead of his debut with ONE Championship. Belfort has not fought since he was knocked out by Lyoto Machida in the final bout of his UFC career in 2018. Shortly thereafter, he signed with ONE Championship. He was expected to make his debut with the promotion opposite Alain Ngalani earlier this year, but that plan was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Eddie Alvarez discusses how fighters can avoid becoming "a slave to a promotion"
Harry Kettle - June 29, 2020
ONE Championship star Eddie Alvarez has spoken out about how fighters can avoid becoming a “slave” to MMA promotions. While the subject of fighter pay has always been a hot topic in mixed martial arts, the current pandemic really does seem to have magnified the issue — both in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and beyond.
ONE Championship announces return on July 31 in Bangkok, Thailand
Tom Taylor - June 26, 2020
After a brief hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, ONE Championship has announced that it will return to our screens with an event in Bangkok, Thailand on July 31. ONE recently promoted a pair of ONE Hero Series of events in Shanghai, China, but the bouts did not air outside the country. This Bangkok event will be broadcast globally.
ONE Championship makes successful return with back-to-back events in China
Tom Taylor - June 23, 2020
Singapore-based martial arts organization ONE Championship made a successful return over the weekend, promoting a pair of ONE Hero Series events in Shanghai, China. The bouts aired on ByteDance’s Toutiao/Xigua video platform, as well as on Douyin. Qinghai TV and Shenzhen TV5 will also air a delayed broadcast.
Vitor Belfort teases rematch with Wanderlei Silva
Harry Kettle - June 10, 2020
ONE Championship star Vitor Belfort has teased the idea of a rematch with Wanderlei Silva, 22 years after their first encounter. While his last fight may have taken place more than two years ago at UFC 224 when he was knocked out by Lyoto Machida, Belfort is ready to get back into the cage and officially end his retirement with ONE Championship.
Angela Lee shares heartfelt anti-bullying message after death of wrestler Hana Kimura
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2020
ONE Championship star Angela Lee has shared a heartfelt anti-bullying message after the tragic death of 22-year-old pro wrestler Hana Kimura, who took her own life last month. Lee, who currently holds the ONE atomweight title, made her statement on Instagram.
Video | Mike Tyson, Vitor Belfort and others get into scuffle with Chris Jericho on AEW Dynamite
Harry Kettle - May 28, 2020
Mike Tyson, Vitor Belfort, Henry Cejudo & Rashad Evans all appeared on AEW Dynamite last night in a segment with Chris Jericho’s Inner Circle faction. All Elite Wrestling, for those outside of the pro wrestling bubble, is the rising force in the industry and now serves as the number two promotion behind WWE in North America after just one year of operation.
Vitor Belfort wants AEW tag team match with Mike Tyson
Tom Taylor - May 26, 2020
ONE Championship star Vitor Belfort wants to partake in an AEW tag team match with boxing legend Mike Tyson. Belfort has recently been training with Tyson, and also attended an AEW event in Jacksonville, Florida, of which Tyson was a part.
Muay Thai star Rodtang Jitmuangnon interested in future MMA bouts
Tom Taylor - May 25, 2020
ONE flyweight Muay Thai titleholder Rodtang Jitmuangnon, widely regarded as one of the most exciting fighters in combat sports, is interested in trying his hand at MMA in the future. The 22-year-old Thai, who has also captured the Max Muay Thai 126-pound title and the Omnoi Stadium 130-pound title, is drawing inspiration from his girlfriend, Stamp Fairtex.
Eddie Alvarez makes prediction for Conor McGregor vs. Justin Gaethje matchup
Tom Taylor - May 19, 2020
If Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje collide in the Octagon, Eddie Alvarez believes McGregor will come out on top. Gaethje, who captured the interim lightweight title with a win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, has been called out by McGregor several times since, renewing discussions about a potential fight between them.