ONE Championship News
Anatoly Malykhin reveals unlikely childhood inspiration: "From a pro wrestler to a top-tier actor"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 12, 2025
Professional wrestling’s biggest crossover star provided the blueprint for Anatoly Malykhin’s relentless pursuit of greatness. The Russian traces his competitive drive back to watching Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson dominate both squared circle and silver screen. Malykhin attempts to reclaim the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title from “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 33-year-old current ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Champion seeks to complete his unprecedented title collection once again.
Hiroki Akimoto, Wei Rui eager for kickboxing rematch at ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 11, 2025
Unfinished business drives Hiroki Akimoto’s motivation heading into his highly anticipated rematch with Wei Rui. The Japanese striker seeks redemption after losing a razor-thin decision in their technical masterpiece last year. Akimoto faces Wei Rui in bantamweight kickboxing action at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The #4-ranked contender enters riding momentum from his vintage performance against John Lineker at ONE 172 in March.
Nabil Anane opens up about special relationship with younger brother
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 11, 2025
Brotherhood runs deeper than blood for Nabil Anane when it comes to his relationship with younger sibling Yonis Anane. The ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion found his closest ally and training partner within his own family. The Anane brothers have forged their careers side by side at ONE Championship, with Nabil currently holding undisputed gold while 18-year-old Yonis begins his own ascent through the strawweight Muay Thai ranks. Their parallel journeys started in childhood when both brothers embraced “the art of eight limbs” simultaneously.
Yuya Wakamatsu predicts "an intense battle" against Joshua Pacio at ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 11, 2025
Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu couldn’t have asked for a better opponent to mark his first title defense. The flyweight king faces an extraordinary challenge when strawweight titleholder Joshua Pacio moves up in weight. Wakamatsu defends his ONE Flyweight MMA World Title against Pacio at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 30-year-old champion makes his first defense in a rare champion-versus-champion clash on home soil.
Sonrak details winning strategy ahead of ONE Friday Fights 119: "I have to rely on my timing to counter"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 7, 2025
Myanmar striker Sonrak Fairtex won’t be drawn into a brawl with power puncher Samingdam NF Looksuan. The tactical fighter plans to use patience and precision against his aggressive opponent’s predictable patterns. Sonrak faces Samingdam in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 119 on Friday, August 8, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 24-year-old Myanmar fighter headlines for the first time after rebounding from a losing streak with a unanimous decision victory in June.
Samingdam promises "fierce" fight against Sonrak at ONE Friday Fights 119
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 7, 2025
Thai power puncher Samingdam NF Looksuan refuses to overthink his approach against Sonrak Fairtex. The 23-year-old striker plans to unleash immediate pressure and force a wild exchange from the opening bell. Samingdam faces Sonrak in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 119 on Friday, August 8, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The Thai striker rides a two-fight winning streak while hunting the $100,000 contract that comes with main roster promotion.
Stamp Fairtex reveals comeback uncertainty: "This will be a chance to prove myself, whether I can make a comeback or not"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 7, 2025
Thai megastar Stamp Fairtex enters unfamiliar territory after nearly two years away from competition. The former three-sport ONE World Champion approaches her return with remarkable vulnerability rather than her usual dominant confidence. Stamp faces Kana Morimoto in atomweight kickboxing action at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The former ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion makes her kickboxing return after suffering a career-threatening knee injury that sidelined her during her prime years.
Regian Eersel receives presidential tribute: "A fighter with an unimaginable passion, perseverance, and Suriname pride"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 7, 2025
World titles across multiple combat sports never prepared Regian “The Immortal” Eersel for his latest honor. The Dutch-Surinamese champion received heartfelt recognition from his homeland’s president after defending his ONE Championship crown. Eersel demolished George Jarvis in 84 seconds at ONE Fight Night 34 on Friday, August 1, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 32-year-old secured his third successful ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title defense with a devastating right hand that ended matters at the 1:24 mark.
Shamil Gasanov reflects on victory over Garry Tonon: "I am happy that I got my revenge today"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 3, 2025
Shamil Gasanov finally settled the score with the only man to defeat him professionally. The Dagestani’s revenge mission against Garry Tonon required three grueling rounds and overcoming a late-fight injury to achieve closure. Gasanov defeated Tonon by unanimous decision at ONE Fight Night 34 on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The #3-ranked featherweight contender avenged his lone career setback while proving his evolution as a complete mixed martial artist.
Regian Eersel addresses pre-fight criticism: "I had to show him, make him feel why I'm the Muay Thai World Champion"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 3, 2025
Regian Eersel made his most emphatic statement yet about his Muay Thai credentials. The Dutch-Surinamese champion silenced doubters with a devastating first-round knockout that left no questions about his place atop the lightweight division. Eersel defended his ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title against George Jarvis at ONE Fight Night 34 on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 32-year-old champion needed just 84 seconds to crush his British challenger, extending his reign with authority.
Jeremy Pacatiw embraces "risky fight" ahead of ONE Fight Night 34
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 30, 2025
Most fighters avoid dangerous newcomers when their ranking hangs in the balance. But Jeremy Pacatiw sees opportunity where others find risk. Pacatiw faces undefeated Elbek Alyshov at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The #5-ranked bantamweight MMA fighter enters coming off a unanimous decision loss to Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu at ONE Fight Night 29 in April.
Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong details journey from poverty to ONE Championship: "I fight for my family, for my roots"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 30, 2025
Thailand’s Rungrawee “Legatron” Sitsongpeenong carries his family’s struggles every time he steps into combat. The lightweight striker’s journey from cassava fields to global stardom represents Muay Thai’s transformative power. Sitsongpeenong faces Youssef Assouik in lightweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 29-year-old seeks redemption after his knockout loss to George Jarvis last November.
Anna Jaroonsak reveals comeback motivation: "I almost quit fighting because of all the negative comments online"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 29, 2025
The demons that nearly derailed Anna “Supergirl” Jaroonsak’s promising career are finally in the rearview mirror. After a brutal mental health battle that kept Thailand’s rising star away from competition for nearly two years, the atomweight striker has rediscovered her passion for combat. The 19-year-old phenom squares off against Teodora Kirilova at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium. Supergirl enters the Muay Thai bout walking a path back to elite competition that has been anything but straightforward.
Regian Eersel targets George Jarvis' conditioning: "Gonna let him feel my energy"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 28, 2025
Regian “The Immortal” Eersel isn’t sweating George Jarvis‘ bold predictions. The defending champion plans to turn this title fight into a conditioning nightmare that’ll separate the pretenders from the proven. Eersel defends his ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Championship for the third time against Jarvis at ONE Fight Night 34 on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 32-year-old Dutch-Surinamese fighter carries over nine years without a Muay Thai loss into this clash with the English challenger making his World Title debut.
George Jarvis dismisses Regian Eersel's credentials: "He's not a Muay Thai fighter"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 28, 2025
George “G-Unit” Jarvis is cutting through the hype like a perfectly timed knee through guard. The English challenger sees Regian Eersel‘s championship reign as kickboxing smoke and mirrors and he’s aiming to expose him with real Muay Thai. Jarvis faces Eersel for the ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Championship at ONE Fight Night 34 on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 25-year-old challenger confronts a Dutch-Surinamese champion riding a nine-year unbeaten streak.
Youssef Assouik outlines path to victory at ONE Fight Night 34: "I will be more aggressive"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 27, 2025
Youssef Assouik learned valuable lessons during his promotional debut and now plans to unleash a completely different version of himself. The Danish-Moroccan striker has spent months adjusting his approach after gaining crucial experience with ONE Championship’s unique 4-ounce gloves format. The 30-year-old former two-division ISKA World Champion faces Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Assouik earned a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over former world title challenger Sinsamut Klinmee in his October 2024 debut, establishing himself as a legitimate lightweight Muay Thai contender.
George Jarvis fights for two generations: "Everything's for him now"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 24, 2025
George Jarvis discovered that becoming a father transformed his understanding of sacrifice in ways training never could. The British striker now carries the weight of providing for his son while honoring the man who shaped him. He challenges reigning king Regian Eersel for the ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Championship at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium at Bangkok, Thailand. The 29-year-old enters with his father in his corner and his son serving as motivation.
Ben Tynan fires shots at heavyweight MMA elite: "I'm beating everyone"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 24, 2025
Ben Tynan carries himself with the swagger of a champion who has never tasted defeat. The Canadian powerhouse believes his perfect record speaks volumes about where he stands among heavyweight fighters. He clashes with former title challenger Kirill Grishenko at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium at Bangkok, Thailand. The 31-year-old enters riding a flawless 5-0 professional streak, having finished every opponent.