ONE Championship News
Nong-O Gaiyanghadao brings unique style to the ONE Championship ring
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 21, 2019
Once an athlete reaches the pinnacle of their sport, they can become content with remaining the same. That is not the case for reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao.
ONE Championship pays tribute to retired Ben Askren
Tom Taylor - November 19, 2019
Ben Askren announced his retirement on Monday afternoon, and he’s been receiving love from the MMA community ever since. He even got a nice tribute from ONE Championship, the organization that famously traded him to the UFC for Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in 2018. See how ONE Championship sent Ben Askren off into retirement below:
Amir Khan learned from setbacks, ready to bounce back
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 19, 2019
For Amir Khan, staying active and constantly preparing for ONE Championship action seemed like the right idea at the time. However, the 25-year-old Khan quickly realized that he was putting himself into the wrong situations, and the end result was three consecutive defeats.
Potential breakout stars at ONE: Edge of Greatness
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 18, 2019
Several martial artists have used Singapore Indoor Stadium as a launchpad for their careers. On 22 November, another group of warriors will have an opportunity to take a massive step in the journey to becoming champions. ONE: Edge of Greatness could be just that for at least four athletes. Colbey Northcutt
Demetrious Johnson stopped at U.S. Customs due to ONE Championship belt
Harry Kettle - November 14, 2019
ONE Championship star Demetrious Johnson was recently stopped at U.S. Customs as a result of his ONE Flyweight Grand Prix title belt. “Mighty Mouse” kickstarted his run with the Asian promotion earlier this year at ONE Championship: A New Era, and ever since then he has defeated Yuya Wakamatsu, Tatsumitsu Wada and Danny Kingad en-route to securing the grand prix win.
5 potential opponents up next for Joshua Pacio
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 12, 2019
Joshua Pacio is establishing himself as one of the elite champions in ONE Championship with every performance. The 23-year-old successfully defended his ONE Strawweight World Championship at ONE: Masters of Fate in front of his hometown crowd of Manila, Philippines. Pacio scored an impressive second-round submission victory over Rene Catalan. The win was Pacio’s first defense since regaining his title from Yosuke Saruta in April. He’d been upset by Saruta back in January. In all, it was a pretty strong 2019 for Pacio as he has re-established himself as the king of his division.
Sage Northcutt reacts to Dana White’s retirement suggestion
Harry Kettle - November 11, 2019
ONE Championship star Sage Northcutt has given his thoughts on UFC president Dana White’s suggestion that he should consider retiring from mixed martial arts. Northcutt officially signed with ONE nearly a year ago now after parting ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His first fight with the promotion took place at May at ONE Championship: Enter the Dragon, where he was knocked out by Cosmo Alexandre in just 29 seconds. The knockout led to the youngster sustaining eight fractures in his face, leading to a nine-hour surgery after the fight.
The significant debuts and returns at ONE: Age of Dragons in Beijing
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 11, 2019
ONE: Age of Dragons will mark the return and debut of several major competitors on the ONE Championship roster. The card takes place at the Cadillac Arena in Beijing, and if the bouts live up to their billing, it could be a riveting night of action. Beijing has long been a hotbed for martial arts culture. The region has become a significant focus on the mixed martial arts world with champions emerging across the globe whose origins are China.
Sage Northcutt still unable to train following KO loss six months ago
Adam Martin - November 8, 2019
ONE Championship’s Sage Northcutt says he still has not been able to train following a KO loss to Cosmo Alexandre back in May. Northcutt suffered a brutal KO loss to Alexandre six months ago, losing in just 29 seconds and suffering numerous facial fractures that have left him unable to train.
Rene Catalan believes it’s his time to rule strawweight division
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 6, 2019
Rene Catalan has waited long enough to meet Joshua “The Passion” Pacio for his ONE Strawweight World Title. On November 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines, all eyes will be on both Filipinos as they headline ONE: Masters of Fate. Pacio is a two-time champion, but Catalan believes winning the golden strap is within his grasp. With Catalan’s knowledge, tenure, and continuous skill development, he believes he has what it takes to win.
Predictions for ONE: Masters of Fate's biggest bouts
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 6, 2019
The ONE: Masters of Fate card is set for November 8 in Manila, Philippines. The event will be punctuated by a ONE Strawweight World Championship bout. Filipino Joshua Pacio will put his title on the line against his countryman Rene Catalan. The event will also see the return of former two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang as he tries to bounce back from consecutive losses. Folayang will face Mongolia’s next serious mixed martial arts contender in Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu. This is a must-win situation for Folayang. A three-bout losing streak would be disastrous for anyone, but it will be especially damaging to Folayang.
Eddie Alvarez to teach Ben Simmons MMA after hectic NBA brawl
Natasha Hooper - November 1, 2019
Eddie Alvarez has found himself a new apprentice. The former UFC champion is going to teach his MMA skills to basketball star Ben Simmons, following the crazy NBA brawl. Philadelphia 76er, Joel Embiid went head-to-head with Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns during a basketball match. As the fight ensured, fellow basketball players, rallied around the bust-up including Ben Simmons. The 76er point guard administered a rear-naked choke to Towns, forcing him to ‘tap out’. Watch the full clip below:
Stamp Fairtex says her experience will help her beat Bi Nguyen
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 30, 2019
ONE Atomweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion Stamp Fairtex will face another imposing opponent in Killer Bee” Bi Nguyen who is out to redeem herself from her split-decision loss in her previous outing. Stamp is on a mission for a third world title in as many sports. After defeating Asha Roka in just her second mixed martial arts bout last August, Stamp continues her quest in Manila at ONE: Masters of Fate this November 8.
Joshua Pacio stepping up on behalf of Team Lakay
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 29, 2019
ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio will not allow Rene Catalan to take his title on 8 November at ONE: Masters of Fate. Pacio is focused on his preparations and won’t leave anything to chance, knowing that he will return to the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila where he reclaimed his golden strap from Yosuke Saruta in April.
Looking back on the Ben Askren-Demetrious Johnson trade one year later
Cole Shelton - October 27, 2019
On Oct. 27, 2018, the MMA world was shaken up as it was announced the UFC and ONE Championship made a trade. The Las Vegas-based promotion traded longtime flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson, to the Singapore-based promotion for the former welterweight champion, Ben Askren. Right away, fans wondered who came out on top in this trade. The UFC was sending one of the greatest fighters of all time in Johnson for an undefeated Askren who could sell fights with his trash-talk. It seemed like a win-win for both fighters and promotions at the time. But, one year later, is it still a win-win?
ONE: Dawn of Valor results and highlights - John Lineker wins debut, Kiamrian Abbasov captures title
Tom Taylor - October 25, 2019
On Friday, ONE Championship returned to our screens with ONE: Dawn of Valor out of Jakarta, Indonesia. The card boasted a number of interesting attractions, including the promotional debut of John Lineker, who took on the ferocious Muin Gafurov, as well as a ONE lightweight kickboxing title rematch between champ Regian Eersel and challenger Nieky Holzken, and a ONE welterweight title fight between champ Zebaztian Kadestam and challenger Kiamrian Abbasov.
Tracing the history of the ONE Championship welterweight title
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 22, 2019
Only three men in history have held the ONE Welterweight World Title, and it is an esteemed group of martial artists. Because the weight class contains athletes with elite strength, speed, and skill, some of the most dangerous and exciting competitors cross paths in this division. That makes extended reigns with the ONE Welterweight World Title all the more impressive. The current champion is Zebaztian Kadestam, and he’s one of the roughest and well-balanced martial artists in the world.
Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol promises an exciting match in Jakarta
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 22, 2019
Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol will make her 11th appearance on the ONE Championship stage in Jakarta on October 25 when she faces Bozhena “Toto” Antoniyar at ONE: Dawn of Valor. Knowing full well that her opponent is a tremendous striker, Lumban Gaol has been working on a strategy that will put her in a position of victory in front of her hometown fans.