ONE Championship News
9 stars who should be on ONE Championship's radar
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 23, 2019
It seems ONE Championship is always adding to its roster with high-level martial artists. As ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong mentioned in an interview with ‘The Fight Guys’ and Forbes’ Brian Mazique, there are more significant signings on the way this year. We don’t know which athletes will be the next to join the organization, but here is a list of 10 athletes ONE should have on their radar.
Eric Kelly wants to end his martial arts career on a high note
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 21, 2019
It was a tough night at the office for Filipino mixed martial arts veteran Eric Kelly at ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST. The former ONE World Title contender came up short against Sanda specialist, Niu Kang Kang last 15 June in Shanghai, China’s Baoshan Arena. Kelly admitted that even before event night, a few things began to go awry. The 37-year old suffered an injury in training, getting a cut from an accidental headbutt.
Bouts to make after ONE: Legendary Quest
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 21, 2019
ONE: Legendary Quest was another successful martial events for ONE Championship as the promotion brought its brand of action to Shanghai once more. In the main event, 21-year-old two-sport world champion Stamp Fairtex successfully defended her ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship against 18-year-old Alma Juniku. The challenger made an excellent account of herself, but in the end, she didn’t have the power or experience necessary to dethrone Stamp.
Why Sage Northcutt can come back stronger from tough ONE debut
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 19, 2019
At ONE: Enter the Dragon in Singapore last May 17, Sage Northcutt’s ONE Championship debut didn’t last very long. Unfortunately for Northcutt, he was on the losing end of a destructive finish. As tough of an evening as it was for Northcutt, there is still room for recovery and improvement. There are a lot of things in his favor, but let’s first break down how it all happened.
VIDEO | Every finish from ONE: Legendary Quest
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 17, 2019
ONE Championship made a successful return to China, with ONE: Legendary Quest selling out the Baoshan Arena in beautiful Shanghai. The biggest winner of the night was no doubt reigning ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex of Thailand, who successfully defended her Muay Thai crown against a very game challenger in Alma Juniku of Australia.
What a ONE Championship Welterweight World Grand Prix field might look like
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 17, 2019
Tournaments and Grand Prix are excellent for martial arts promotions. It hearkens back to the golden days of competition in a variety of combat sports. ONE Championship is capturing that magic with its various ladder-style tournaments. Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev has already secured himself a spot in the lightweight final on the strength of two KO victories over Ev Ting and Amir Khan. Arslanaliev will face the winner of the Timofey Nastyuhkin vs. Honorio Banario semifinal, which takes place in Manila this August.
Agilan Thani eyeing quick finish of Yoshihiro Akiyama
Tom Taylor - June 14, 2019
On Saturday, in the co-main event of ONE: Legendary Quest in Shanghai, China, Agilan Thani will look to spoil the ONE Championship debut of K-1 and UFC veteran Yoshihiro Akiyama — more widely known as “Sexyama.” This massive fight was first offered to Thani in April, at the ONE Elite Retreat, on the sun-soaked beaches of Thailand. At first, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but of course he could not turn the opportunity down.
Spurred on by the words of his father, Yoshihiro Akiyama seeks new challenges in ONE Championship
Tom Taylor - June 14, 2019
Yoshihiro Akiyama is feeling the pressure. After almost four years of inactivity, the 44-year-old Japanese-Korean star is just hours away from the first fight of his comeback, and as the clock runs down, the tension is mounting.
6 athletes destined to be ONE Championship title holders
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 14, 2019
The influx of talent to the ONE Championship roster is undeniable. The Singapore-based martial arts organization has consistently signed athletes to join its ranks, and each month, the level of talent seems to increase. Upon signing with the organization, athletes likely envision themselves as champions of the promotion down the line. When compiling this list, there is focus on athletes who had not yet become ONE world champions. However, the following six competitors are destined to one day reach that level with the organization.
18-year-old Muay Thai star Alma Juniku breaks down Shanghai showdown with Stamp Fairtex
Tom Taylor - June 12, 2019
On Saturday, June 15, in the main event of ONE: Legendary Quest in shimmering Shanghai, China, 18-year-old Muay Thai star Alma Juniku will take on champion Stamp Fairtex for the ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title. Ahead of this mammoth Muay Thai showdown, the Albanian-Australian talent had a quick chat with BJPenn.com’s Tom Taylor.
Myanmar's Phoe Thaw is pumped for first ONE bout outside of his homeland
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 12, 2019
Myanmar’s Phoe Thaw will step into the unknown on 15 June when he faces off against Indonesian veteran Victorio “Indra” Senduk at ONE: Legendary Quest in Shanghai, China. This contest will be the first matchup that Phoe Thaw has competed in outside of his home country, and the 34-year-old is thrilled that he has been given this chance to showcase his talents to an entirely new set of fans.
Spotlighting the Chinese warriors who will compete at ONE: Legendary Quest
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 12, 2019
ONE Championship continues to establish itself in mainland China. The next event takes place in Shanghai on 15 June, called ONE: Legendary Quest, and there are five Chinese athletes scheduled to compete on the card. Those warriors will help to set the table for the co-main event, Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Agilan Thani, and the main event between ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex against 18-year-old world prodigy Alma Juniku. The match between Stamp and Juniku has a combined age of just 39, which is a record for a ONE Championship title bout.
Demetrious Johnson, Eddie Alvarez return to action at ONE: Dawn of Heroes
Tom Taylor - June 10, 2019
The next ONE Championship appearances of former UFC champs Eddie Alvarez and Demetrious Johnson are now official. Both men are set to return on August 2 at ONE: Dawn of Heroes in Manila, Philippines. Eddie Alvarez will make his return against two-time ONE lightweight champion Eduard Folayang. This booking, which looks like a 2019 Fight of the Year contender on paper, will mark Alvarez’s opportunity to rebound from a failed ONE debut opposite Timofey Nastyukhin, and Folayang’s chance to rebound from a title loss to Shinya Aoki.
Why Agilan Thani is in a must-win situation vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 10, 2019
Agilan Thani is seen as the shining light of the booming Malaysian mixed martial arts scene. But after hitting a rough patch, his upcoming bout — the co-main event at ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST on 15 June in Shanghai — is a must-win. After beating Amitesh Chaubey in March 2018, Thani has been on the losing end in his last two matchups, absorbing stoppage losses to current ONE Welterweight World Champion Zebaztian Kadestam and top contender Kiamrian Abbasov in 2018.
Stamp Fairtex vs. Alma Juniku: Previewing the ONE: Legendary Quest main event
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 9, 2019
Stamp Fairtex, despite her youth, has already established herself as a star in the world of martial arts. The Thai talent has become the only two-sport champion under the ONE Championship banner. On June 15 in Shanghai in the main event of ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST, Stamp will look to add to her legacy when she defends her ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title against 18-year-old prodigy Alma Juniku in a battle of two of the youngest competitors in the organization.
Angela Lee returns at ONE: Masters of Destiny in Kuala Lumpur
Tom Taylor - June 7, 2019
At ONE: Masters of Destiny, which is scheduled for July 12 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ONE Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee will return to action opposite Brazilian jiu jitsu specialist Michelle Nicolini. The bout will occur in the strawweight division. Interestingly, Lee and Nicolini have met once before, on the grappling circuit. Brazil’s Nicolini won that contest by submission.
Demetrious Johnson comments on Sage Northcutt's ONE Championship loss
Tom Taylor - May 29, 2019
Singapore-based martial arts organization ONE Championship has recently signed a host of high profile free agents, most notably Demetrious Johnson, Eddie Alvarez, and Sage Northcutt. Among Western fans, many of whom grew familiar with these fighters during their time in the UFC, the widespread expectation was that all three would all be extremely successful in ONE. This has not been the case.
Demetrious Johnson discusses next phases of ONE Championship career, life after MMA
Tom Taylor - May 27, 2019
Demetrious Johnson has already cemented himself one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, but he’s not ready to rest on his laurels. After a record-setting reign as the UFC flyweight champion, he is now zeroing in on a new title in ONE Championship. Johnson’s road to ONE Championship gold leads through the perilous ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix. The former UFC champion has already advanced to the tournament’s second round, having submitted Yuya Wakamatsu in Tokyo in March, and he’s now looking ahead to a yet unscheduled semifinal showdown with former DEEP flyweight champion Tatsumitsu Wada.