ONE Championship News
"Reug Reug" celebrates inclusion in Senegal's school curriculum: "What an honor it is for a sportsman to achieve in life"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 18, 2025
“Reug Reug” Oumar Kane reached heights few athletes ever achieve in their homeland. The ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion discovered that Senegal’s secondary schools now teach his story as part of their educational curriculum. Kane defends his belt against Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 33-year-old Senegalese fighter enters the rematch as the first African-born champion in ONE Championship history.
ONE Championship unveils explosive lineup for ONE Friday Fights 121 on August 22
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 17, 2025
Tengnueng Fairtex headlines ONE Friday Fights 121 when he faces undefeated Russian striker Maksim Bakhtin. The Thai veteran enters the lightweight Muay Thai main event riding a six-year winning streak against a dangerous prospect seeking his breakthrough moment. The event takes place on August 22 inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. Twenty-four fighters compete across Muay Thai and MMA bouts with $100,000 contracts and main roster spots available for standout performers.
Tawanchai PK Saenchai seeks kickboxing redemption against Liu Mengyang
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 17, 2025
Redemption roads rarely offer easy entry points. But Tawanchai PK Saenchai chose the scenic route back to two-sport supremacy. The ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion’s kickboxing resurrection begins against a dangerous young striker who represents everything standing between him and reclamation. Tawanchai battles Liu Mengyang in featherweight kickboxing action next. This happens at ONE Friday Fights 126 on September 26 inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. He seeks his 135th career victory while attempting to erase painful memories from his last kickboxing appearance.
Itsuki Hirata rebounds after career spiral: "I was so shocked and down"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 14, 2025
Itsuki Hirata will begin resurrecting her career when she steps back into combat after months of soul-searching. The former ONE World Title contender confronts her once-promising trajectory against an undefeated opponent who represents everything she used to be. Hirata faces promotional newcomer Arti Khatri in atomweight MMA action at ONE Friday Fights 120 on Friday, August 15, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 25-year-old Japanese fighter enters her weekly series debut carrying the weight of three setbacks.
ONE books World Title unification bout between Prajanchai and Jonathan Di Bella for ONE Fight Night 36
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 13, 2025
Major championship gold gets unified when Prajanchai PK Saenchai settles his score with Jonathan Di Bella. The strawweight kickboxing rivals receive their long-awaited rematch opportunity after their classic first encounter left questions unanswered. Prajanchai defends his ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title against interim champion Di Bella at ONE Fight Night 36 on Prime Video on Friday, October 3, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The event airs live in U.S. primetime featuring the highly anticipated unification showdown.
Yodlekpet promises stylistic evolution in ONE Friday Fights 120 headliner: "You're going to see me faster"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 13, 2025
Yodlekpet Or Atchariya refuses to let inconsistency define his career any longer. The Thai veteran believes his last spectacular knockout victory represents a turning point rather than just another highlight. Yodlekpet faces Pompet Panthonggym at ONE Friday Fights 120 on August 15 inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 30-year-old striker enters riding momentum from his ferocious first-round finish at ONE Friday Fights 113 after enduring back-to-back setbacks.
Ayaka Miura explains significance of ONE World Title shot in Japan: "My time to win"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 12, 2025
Ayaka “Zombie” Miura couldn’t have scripted a better scenario for her second championship opportunity. The Japanese contender gets to chase atomweight gold in front of her home crowd after falling short in her previous title attempt. Miura challenges Denice Zamboanga for the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 34-year-old enters riding a five-fight winning streak with four submission victories since dropping to 115 pounds.
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.
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.
"Reug Reug" Oumar Kane reveals new motivation: "Providing for my daughter is even more important"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 11, 2025
Championship gold pales in comparison to fatherhood for “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane. The Senegalese heavyweight discovered an entirely new source of motivation after welcoming his daughter into the world. Kane defends his ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title against Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 173: Superbon vs Noiri on November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 33-year-old makes his first title defense months after becoming a first-time father to a baby girl.
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.
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.
"Reug Reug" Oumar Kane relates to Rodtang: "Our stories are quite similar, just in different countries"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 5, 2025
“Reug Reug” Oumar Kane found an unlikely kindred spirit in Thailand’s Rodtang Jitmuangnon. The towering Senegalese wrestler and compact Thai striker discovered shared experiences that transcend size differences and fighting disciplines. Kane defends his ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title in a rematch against Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 173: Superbon vs Noiri on November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 33-year-old seeks his first successful title defense in a rematch against the man he dethroned at ONE 169.
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.
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.