Could the year 2023 be the year that mixed martial arts (MMA) in the United States eventually reverts to its simple, modest origins, developed in Asia approximately 5,000 years ago?
Our goal isn’t to host the bloodiest, biggest brawls, or have two sportsmen yell at each other. One Championship, a Singapore-based MMA promotion company widely regarded as Asia’s answer to industry titan UFC, which is a member of the Endeavour Group and will be merging with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), said, “That works—for a certain type of audience and consumer.” Hua Fung Teh, president and co-founder of One Championship, stated as much.
One Championship will make its US debut on Friday in Broomfield, Colorado, more than ten years after its inception. Demetrious Johnson, the current flyweight champion and one of the all-time best MMA fighters, is featured in the sold-out event.
“I can’t wait for the American audience to experience real martial arts”, said Demetrious Johnson. The former multiple-time UFC champion, who joined One in 2018, stated, “Fighting on American soil, it’s amazing to be able to headline this historic event.”
“Mighty Mouse” Johnson will engage in a trilogy bout with former champion Adriano Moraes. A victory is shared by the two. Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Stamp Fairtex of Thailand, as well as former UFC champion Sage Northcutt, are two other competitors who draw large crowds.
In modern combat sports, there is definitely room for interpretation of what “true martial arts” actually imply. They explained theirs using the enduring slogan of One.
“It’s about unleashing real-life superheroes who ignite the world with hope, strength, dreams, and inspiration,” he stated. It’s about parents entering a child’s room and thinking, “Yes, that’s someone worth looking up to.” It’s about kids wanting posters of their favourite sportsmen.
And while it will likely cause some bloodthirsty fans to roll their eyes, it does not imply that their roster of more than 600 fighters is devoid of smouldering feuds and heated confrontations.
This is athletics. Things may become emotional and heated. You leave it in the [ring], the court, or the pitch for us, though. Sports naturally involve rivalry, conflict, and the occasional bit of shoving. But without going over that line, the sport itself has plenty of built-in storylines and drama.
When it comes to the advertisers who support us, we’re talking about household names like Tumi, Oculus, and Disney. We are creating a company that everyone may enjoy with their grandchildren and children. That more closely embodies the spirit and core principles of martial arts.
Getting into North America
Regardless of values, One varies from the UFC in that it schedules many forms of martial arts in addition to its MMA-based core.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu grappling is the co-main event in Colorado, and there will also be kickboxing and Muay Thai fights sprinkled throughout.
A five-year media rights agreement stipulates that the card will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video in the US and Canada. They stated that the plan is to “do multiple events, not just in the long-term,” and that it won’t disrupt the roughly 60 shows per year that are already held throughout Asia.