ONE Championship News

Tom Taylor - August 2, 2019

On Friday, ONE Championship returned to Manila, Philippines with an absolutely stacked card in ONE: Dawn of Heroes. The card was topped by a featherweight title fight between ferocious champion Martin Nguyen and surging Japanese challenger Koyomi “Moushigo” Matsushima. The co-headliner, meanwhile, saw ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan Haggerty attempt to defend his strap against Thai tank Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

BJPENN.COM Staff - August 1, 2019

Former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio will seek redemption on 2 August when he faces Japan’s Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu at ONE: Dawn of Heroes at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. Eustaquio attempted to defend the title against Adriano Moraes at ONE: Hero’s Ascent but surrendered the belt when all the judges scored the bout in favor of the Brazilian. Although the Filipino athlete was able to land a plethora of decent strikes throughout the contest, it was a prolonged knee-bar from “Mikinho” which became the deciding factor of the match. 

Tom Taylor - August 1, 2019

In May, at UFC Ottawa, former Olympic wrestler Arjan Bhullar picked up a decision victory over Juan Adams, extending his win-streak to two-straight and his overall UFC record to 3-1. Several weeks later, the Indian-Canadian heavyweight parted ways with the UFC and signed with Singapore-based promotion ONE Championship. Bhullar, who trains alongside Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier at American Kickboxing Academy, is now set to make his ONE Championship debut against former Cage Warriors champion Mauro Cerilli at ONE: Dawn of Heroes on Friday, August 2.

Tom Taylor - July 31, 2019

Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson is one of the greatest fighters of all time, and one of the toughest puzzles to solve in MMA. Yet Tatsumitsu Wada believes he’s figured out the MMA legend’s weaknesses. Wada will meet Johnson in the semifinals of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix at ONE: Dawn of Heroes this Friday in Manila, Philippines. He believes his research into the former UFC champ will pay off with a TKO win.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 30, 2019

You might have expected Jonathan Haggerty to have taken a moment to soak up the atmosphere before requesting a new opponent. The 22-year-old Englishman had just captured the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event at ONE: FOR HONOR. Haggerty defeated Thailand’s legendary Sam-A Gaiyanghadao via unanimous decision in a thrilling encounter. As golden confetti fell from the ceiling and Haggerty’s team celebrated his victory, it seemed only right for the London native to simply enjoy the occasion. However, there is a reason why Haggerty is as successful as he is, and that is because of his relentless drive to test his skills against the best in the world.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 29, 2019

Filipino star Danny Kingad and Team Lakay have had to be very versatile over the past year. The ONE Championship flyweight contender has had his opponents changed on him due to injury twice in a row.  In a recent Q&A, he opened up about the challenges and his overall preparation for Reece McLaren in the semi-finals of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix at ONE: Dawn of Heroes on August 2 in Manilla.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 26, 2019

ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin Nguyen still fondly remembers the precise moment he was introduced to the sport that would eventually become a career-defining passion. Forced to abandon his ambitions of becoming a full-time rugby league player due to a string of ongoing injuries, Nguyen caught the combat bug after witnessing two of mixed martial arts’ all-time greats square off in a classic contest.

Tom Taylor - July 23, 2019

Former UFC bantamweight contender John Lineker is reportedly closing in on an opponent for his ONE Championship debut. And just like his fellow UFC veterans Demetrious Johnson, Eddie Alvarez and Sage Northcutt, it looks like he could be in for a tough welcome to the Singapore-based promotion. https://twitter.com/BigMarcel24/status/1153310832882782208

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 18, 2019

For years now, the Philippines and ONE Championship, the top martial arts organization in Asia, have put on some fantastic events. The next event to be staged in Manila is ONE: Dawn of Heroes on 2 August. The stakes are high as the card is packed with title bouts and essential matches in several weight classes. Here are five athletes with the most to lose at ONE: Dawn of Heroes.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 17, 2019

Yielding different results in their respective debuts on 31 March in Tokyo Japan at ONE: A NEW ERA, Demetrious Johnson, and Eddie Alvarez have a few things to tweak as they get acclimated to a new promotion. Once again, Johnson and Alvarez will compete on the same card when they battle Tatsumitsu Wada and Eduard Folayang, respectively, at ONE: DAWN OF HEROES on 2 August at the Mall of Asia in Manila, Philippines. 

Tom Taylor - July 15, 2019

Former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez is back in the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix. After being eliminated from the tournament by Timofey Nastyukhin in March, Alvarez has re-entered the field as Nastyukhin has been forced to withdraw from the semifinals with an injury.

Cole Shelton - July 12, 2019

After Vitor Belfort was knocked out by Lyoto Machida at UFC 224, the former champion announced his retirement from the sport. But, after a year away from MMA it was announced in late February that the 42-year-old had signed with ONE Championship. Since then, there has been little to no talk about when Belfort will make his debut. He did ask for a fight with Roy Jones Jr. However, the veteran still awaits a fight in the Asian-based promotion. When he does indeed fight, ‘The Phenom’ wants UFC commentator, Joe Rogan in his corner.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 11, 2019

Multiple-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Michelle Nicolini has been waiting for her name to be called since her last bout back in November of 2018. On 12 July, she makes her highly-anticipated return in the co-main event of ONE: Masters of Destiny at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Nicolini’s first ONE Championship test for 2019 comes in the form of reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion and former ONE Women’s Strawweight World Title challenger Angela “Unstoppable” Lee of Singapore.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 11, 2019

There will be three different combat sports on display at ONE: Masters of Destiny on 12 July at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but each bout could potentially end in a  knockout. Here is a look at the most prolific knockout artists competing on the ONE Championship card. 

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 11, 2019

Malaysian women’s atomweight contender Jihin Radzuan — known by the nickname “Shadowcat” — will be defending her home country’s pride against the Philippines’ Jomary Torres at ONE: Masters of Destiny this coming Friday, July 12 at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Apart from an impressive 4-1 professional record, the up-and-coming Malaysian prospect is also the owner of one of the more unique monikers in mixed martial arts, and it is something that has made fellow athletes and fans quite curious.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 10, 2019

Filipina mixed martial artist Jomary Torres returns to action on July 12 at ONE: Masters of Destiny as she faces MIMMA Women’s Champion and Malaysia’s own Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur. There’s a lot at stake for Torres who has lost her last three bouts after a stellar start with ONE Championship, and now as she prepares for one of the most important matches of her career, she reflects back to her humble beginnings and the reason why she took up the sport.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 10, 2019

Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy hopes to continue reaping international success at ONE: Masters of Destiny on July 12 against WMC Muay Thai World Champion George Mann. The Thai-native, who returns to action at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, revealed he is excited to be competing in Muay Thai again in ONE Championship.

Thomas Taylor - July 9, 2019

Over the weekend, former ONE Championship welterweight king Ben Askren experienced his first professional loss, succumbing to a flying knee just five seconds into a UFC 239 bout with Jorge Masvidal. Speaking on Facebook on Tuesday, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong shared his take on the former ONE Champ’s first taste of defeat.