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.