ONE Championship News
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.
"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.
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.
"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.
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.
Teodora Kirilova predicts "a real firefight" against Supergirl at ONE Fight Night 34
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 29, 2025
Bulgarian striker Teodora Kirilova isn’t mincing words about her upcoming collision with Thailand’s Anna “Supergirl” Jaroonsak. The veteran sees fireworks ahead when she steps back into ONE Championship action seeking her first promotional victory. Kirilova battles Jaroonsak in atomweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 34-year-old Bulgarian enters desperately needing a statement performance after dropping her promotional debut to Shir Cohen.