Renzo Gracie: I believe in Chatri Sityodtong’s vision for martial arts

Renzo Gracie

Brazilian martial arts legend Renzo Gracie, 51, was among the special guests at the first ever ONE Championship press conference in the country, which took place at Park Hyatt Hotel in Tokyo on August 23, 2018. He was with his brother 5th degree BJJ Black Belt Ralph Gracie, 47, and ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

“I believe in what ONE Championship is doing out here in Asia and I believe in Chatri’s vision for martial arts,” Renzo said during the press conference. “It warms my heart to see just how much respect we have built here as martial artists. This is what true martial arts is all about.”

“I have been to Tokyo many times and the city never fails to amaze and surprise me,” the martial arts legend added. “To be able to come full circle and bring martial arts back to Japan, it’s an amazing sight to behold. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this momentous occasion.”

Renzo made his ONE Championship debut at “ONE: Reign of Kings” on July 27, 2018 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. He won via rear-naked choke submission in the second round against Yuki “Sora” Kondo, 43, of Japan.

“Japan has played a huge role in the history of martial arts on a global scale and it’s just right that it returns to glory once again,” Renzo said. “ONE Championship and Japan are a perfect fit and I foresee a bright future ahead.”

Among the Japanese MMA stars who attended the press conference were reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito, 34, former ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya “Tobikan Shudan” Aoki, 35, and former ONE World Title challengers Mei “V.V.” Yamaguchi, 35, and Ken Hasegawa, 31. The event was graced by Naito’s fellow world champions, namely ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela  “Unstoppable” Lee, 22, of Singapore, ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes, 38, of Brazil  and ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera, 40, of the Philippines.

Among the special guests in the event were submission Grappling world champion Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon, 26, of the United States, kickboxing superstar Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan, 32, of Italy and Muay Thai legend Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, 31, of Thailand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM7dL2KHyi0&t=3s

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Chatri Sityodtong: ONE Championship’s mission is sacred

Chatri Sityodtong

ONE Championship held its first ever press conference in Japan at Park Hyatt Hotel in Tokyo on August 23, 2018. Leading the event was ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

“Our mission at ONE Championship is sacred, we want to unleash martial arts superheroes unto the world, world-class athletes who ignite passion and hope and who help weave martial arts into the very fabric of human life,” Sityodtong declared during the press conference. “By sharing their stories with the world, ONE Championship aims to change the lives of many through the beauty of sport and discipline.”

According to Sityodtong, ONE Championship has been planning for a very long time to bring the authentic martial arts experience in Japan to the fans “deep in the heart of Asia.” He added that the country has “a rich martial arts culture and history.”

The press conference was for the ONE Championship debut in Japan, which is scheduled on March 31, 2019. The second event of the promotion in the country will be on October 11, 2019.

“It is our absolute pleasure to announce today that we will be officially holding our first ever live event in Tokyo next March,” Sityodtong said. “The ONE Championship superstars here today are some of the greatest talents in the world, bar none. They came out here to show their support for ONE Championship, and are living proof of the greatness of martial arts and the impact it has on our lives.”

“Together, we can inspire the world to walk in the true values of martial arts, (which are) integrity, humility, honor, respect, courage, discipline and compassion,” the ONE Championship chairman and CEO added. “We look forward to seeing you all once again, right here in March 2019.”

ONE Championship is having a phenomenal 2018 thus far, and with eight more blockbuster live events left to close the year, there is a lot of world-class martial arts action to look forward to. The next two events “ONE: Beyond the Horizon” set for September 8, 2019 in Shanghai, China and “ONE: Conquest of Heroes” set for September 22, 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia already feature some of the most compelling martial arts contests of the year that fans can certainly look forward to.

In addition, world championship boxing makes its ONE Championship debut when The Ring and WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, 31, of Thailand defends his title against Iran “MagnifiKO” Diaz, 28, of Mexico in the main event of “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes” set for October 6, 2018 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqJRnI8AxNM&t=5s

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Juan Francisco Estrada joins Iran Diaz’s team for ‘ONE: Kingdom of Heroes’

Iran Diaz

Former World Boxing Association (WBA) Unified and World Boxing Organization (WBO) Flyweight Champion Juan “El Gallo” Francisco Estrada, 28, has joined the training camp of Iran “MagnifiKO” Diaz, 28, who is preparing for “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes.” Both boxers are from Sonora, Mexico.

Taking place at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on October 6, 2018, “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes” marks the first boxing bout of ONE Championship. It will be between Diaz and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, 31, of Thailand.

Diaz and Sor Rungvisai will compete for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Flyweight World Championship. Their bout will be the main event of “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes.”

In preparation for the bout, Diaz previously enlisted four-division world champion and future Hall of Famer Juan “Dinamita” Manuel Marquez, 44, as his adviser. Recently, Diaz added to his training camp Estrada as one of his training partners.

Currently, Estrada is a junior bantamweight contender. He will work alongside Diaz’s trainer Ernesto Salgado.

“Like what I said before, we will need all the help that we can get to win in Bangkok this coming October,” Salgada stated. “We are happy that Juan Francisco Estrada reached out to us and spared a little of his time to work with Iran,” Diaz’s  stated.

Estrada holds a professional boxing record of 36 wins 3 losses with 25 knockouts. He has shared the ring with the biggest names of boxing’s lower weight classes, including Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, Brian Viloria, Milan Melindo, Hernan “Tyson” Marquez and Carlos Cuadras.

In Estrada’s most recent bout, which was on February 24, 2018 at The Forum in Inglewood, California, he lost to Sor Rungvisai via majority decision. According to Salgado, Estrada has given them some tips on how he thought Sor Rungvisai competes, moves and strategizes inside the ring.”

“It’s a big help,” Diaz’s trainer said. “Sharing his insights on the Thai champion worked out in our favor.”

There is a possibility that Estrada and Diaz will compete against each other in the future. The former will return to Inglewood on September 8, 2018 to compete against two-time world title challenger and compatriot Felipe Orucuta in a WBC Super Flyweight World Championship eliminator.

The winner of the bout between Estrada and Orucuta will face the victor of the championship clash between Sor Rungvisai and Diaz at “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes” in the future. On August 28, 2018, Sor Rungvisai and Diaz will host an open workout at the Nakornloung Promotion (NKL) Gym in Bangkok, Thailand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPC-XydeyDs

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Iran Diaz can be Mexico’s 187th world boxing champ

Iran “MagnifiKO” Diaz, 28, can become the 187th world titleholder in boxing from Mexico. For him to accomplish this feat, he has to capture the World Boxing Council Super Flyweight World Championship from Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, 31, of Thailand at “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes.”

Taking place at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes” marks the first boxing bout in ONE Championship. The WBC Super Flyweight World Championship title bout between Diaz and Sor Rungvisai will be the main event of the evening.

ONE Championship was founded by Chatri Sityodtong and Victor Cui in 2011. It is based in Singapore.

Iran Diaz

Fighting out of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Diaz is one of the fastest rising talents in today’s boxing scene of Mexico, a country known for its passionate adulation for pugilism. Throughout boxing’s illustrious history, the country has always found a special place in the sport as it is a breeding ground of world champions celebrated by die-hard fans around the globe.

Among the world boxing champions from Mexico are Ricardo Lopez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Salvador Sanchez, Ruben Olivares, Julio Cesar Chavez and Juan Manuel Marquez. Hailing from Iztacalco, Mexico City, Mexico, Marquez serves as an adviser of Diaz for the “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes” bout.

Since the stakes are high in his scheduled 12-round championship clash with Sor Rungvisai, Diaz is bent on capitalizing the opportunity of joining Mexico’s boxing greats in the elite cast of world champions. The Mexican boxer stated, “Mexican boxers are the best in the sport.”

“It’s in our blood,” Diaz added. “And I am proud to represent my country here on the global stage.”

Diaz holds a professional record of 14 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws and he has six knockouts in his name. The Ciudad Obregon native has been competing professionally since 2008.

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ONE Championship star Xiong Jing Nan: Boxing made me tougher

Xiong Jing Nan, Laura Balin

Reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan is one of the mixed martial artists who enjoy boxing.

“Boxing made me tougher, and I would not quit easily,” she stated.

With boxing already in her arsenal, Xiong proceeded to add more and more tools to become a well-rounded mixed martial artist.

With grappling being one of the most important pillars of the sport, she immersed herself in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which would eventually lead to a China Open BJJ Championship.

In 2014, Xiong made her professional mixed martial arts debut, winning via submission in just under a minute.

“I knew I could do it. I had faith in my heart. I wanted to do something different, and it was more challenging,” she proclaimed. “I am a person who likes to challenge myself – who wants to soar higher and further. So I challenge myself to make what is impossible, possible. Even if there is no hope for success, I try my best to create that hope.”

Xiong went on to win eight of her next nine fights, eventually catching the attention of ONE Championship, the biggest martial arts promotion in the world.

In late 2017, Xiong made her debut in spectacular fashion, knocking out Team Lakay’s April Osenio in the first round.

The win earned Xiong her aforementioned title opportunity, and the rest, as they say, is history.

This past June, Xiong successfully defended her ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship for the first time against Argentinian Laura Balin, cruising to a unanimous decision win in Macau, China.

On 8 September, Xiong will once again try to keep the gold belt around her waist, which is the same gold-plated belt that serves as a reminder of her drive and determination to keep improving.

“There were some other girls, but they did not make it to the end,” she proudly expressed. “They gave it up. I was not treated differently because I never give up on what I really want.”

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Japan’s Yuya Wakamatsu, Koyomi Matsushima to make ONE Championship debut at ‘ONE: Conquest of Heroes’

 

 

Koyomi Matsushima Yuya Wakamatsu

ONE Championship is preparing for its first venture into Japan in the first quarter of 2019. The organization has bolstered its promising pool of world-class talents with the acquisition of Japanese prospects Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu, 23, and Koyomi Matsushima, 25.

Wakamatsu and Matsushima will make their respective ONE Championship debuts on the undercard of “ONE: Conquest of Heroes” on September 22, 2018 at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta, Indonesia. Including the two promotional debutantes, three Japanese mixed martial artists are on the fight card.

Holding a professional MMA record of 10 wins and 2 losses, Wakamatsu is an aggressive knockout artist with shocking power. He is a force to be reckoned with at flyweight with nine of his 10 victories coming by way of knockout.

“I am happy to be part of the growing ONE Championship family,” Wakamatsu stated. “I would also like to thank everyone who made this possible. I can’t wait to have my promotional debut and exhibit what I am capable of doing.”

Fighting out of Kagoshima, Japan, Wakamatsu has decided to direct his career path to ONE Championship. He won 10 of his 11 most recent bouts.

At “ONE: Conquest of Heroes,” Wakamatsu will lock horns with former ONE Flyweight World Championship challenger Danny “The King” Kingad, 23, of the Philippines. The Japanese contender promised, “The fans must not blink every time I am inside the ring or cage because I could finish the contest at any time.”

On the other hand, Matsushima is one of the fastest rising MMA fighters hailing from Kanagawa prefecture located in the Kantō region of Japan. With 9 wins and 3 losses, he has put together a handful of solid performances while competing in local Japanese promotions such as Pancrase and Shooto.

Matsushima will compete in the featherweight division at “ONE: Conquest of Heroes.” His opponent is former ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat “The Cobra” Gafurov, 33, of Dagestan, Russia.

“ONE: Conquest of Heroes” will be headlined by reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito, 34, of Japan and Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, 22, of the Philippines.

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Honorio Banario: Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao never lost faith in me

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario, 28, of Mankayan, Benguet, Philippines thought of giving up at one point in his career. But his promising mixed martial arts continued, thanks to his mentor Mark Sangiao, the Team Lakay founder and head coach.

“I’m grateful to my team, especially coach Mark [Sangiao],” Banario said in an interview with ONE Championship. “He never lost faith in me even when I kept losing. My team gave me confidence when there was no reason to be confident. Because of that, I was able to rise above and conquer my situation.”

Banario suffered five consecutive losses from 2013 to 2015. In 2016, he redeemed himself and he is now riding a five-bout winning streak.

“I will never stop believing though because my team will never stop believing,” Banario said of Team Lakay. “My team stands right there beside me, literally drilling with me every day. They push me harder even at my lowest and their voice is constantly in my ear.”

“They remind me every day not to lose hope, that I’m lucky to be doing what I love,” Banario added. “It helps me realize that I am capable of so much more than I think.”

After now winning five bouts in a row, Banario has successfully authored a career resurgence. He has made a complete 180 degree turn for the better.

On September 8, 2018, Banario is returning to action when ONE Championship visits the Baoshan Arena in Shanghai, China for “ONE: Beyond the Horizon.” He will face top lightweight contender Amir Khan, 28, of Singapore in a three round contest.

Banario is the first to admit his next bout will be the toughest test in his career. Going for his sixth straight victory, he is knocking on the door of the featherweight elite.

A couple more solid performances and Banario could find himself on the cusp of another title shot. Humble in both victory and defeat, he says it is all due to the support he has received from his team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc0ntV5UmDk&t=4s

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Singapore’s Joseph Schooling: Partnering with ONE Championship represents exciting times

Singaporean Olympic swimmer Joseph Schooling, 22, has been appointed as an exclusive ambassador of ONE Championship, supporting his favorite athletes on social media or in person when his schedule permits. With his appointment, his fans may get the chance to see him in person.

“Partnering with ONE Championship represents exciting times,” Schooling stated. “I have always identified with the values of ONE Championship, and I think that is an important factor to any partnership. I have always had a great time at their events, so as Ambassador of ONE Championship, I am looking forward to sharing the positive values of ONE Championship to everyone.”

Joseph Schooling, Angela Lee

Joseph Schooling

Born and raised in Singapore, Schooling is a third-generation Singaporean who is a world champion swimmer. In 2016, he became an Olympic gold medalist, defeating the legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps and setting a world record for the 100m butterfly event at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Schooling is currently a final year student at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a prominent member of the Texas Longhorns swimming team.

Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Championship has established very strong roots in the country over the years since its inception in 2011. In 2017, the promotion announced a partnership with Singapore-based multimedia conglomerate Mediacorp, an agreement that grants the broadcasting company access to all ONE Championship content including its live events.

Just recently, ONE Championship has also announced a strategic partnership with Singtel, one of the largest mobile network operators in Asia with over 640 million subscribers. The partnership aims to leverage ONE Championship and Singtel’s capabilities to collaborate in the area of martial arts-related content, digital assets and services, events and telecommunication services.

Reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship Angela “Unstoppable” Lee, who is Schooling’s fellow Singaporean, is set to have a rematch with Mei “V. V.” Yamaguchi of Japan at “ONE: Unstoppable Dreams” in Singapore on May 18, 2018.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMZdCEQErQg

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Hua Fung Teh: China market is very important for ONE Championship

Hua Fung Teh, Xiong Jing Nan

Based in Singapore, ONE Championship is establishing a strong base in China. Recently, the company appointed its chief financial officer Hua Fung Teh as its new chairman in the country.

“The China market is incredibly important for us,” Teh stated. “And we are doing everything we can to achieve success.”

Teh used to be a principal at TPG Capital. For over 6 years, he was a key leader of the leading global private equity firm in the origination, evaluation and execution of investments deals across Greater China and Southeast Asia.

Before joining TPG Capital, Teh held various leadership positions in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), where he was a key member of the team that brought Formula One (F1) racing to Singapore and organized the first night race in F1 history in 2008. He was also an aviator with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) where he operated F-16 fighter jets.

“It is an honor to be appointed as Chairman of ONE Championship in China, a country with a long and respected tradition of martial arts going back thousands of years,” Teh said. “I look forward to engaging with our local partners, athletes and fans, and helping our team further grow ONE Championship’s footprint and fan base in the country.”

The ONE Championship CFO has extensive knowledge and experience in the business circuit in China. He said he has a deep personal affection and respect for the country where he spent a lot of time and made many friends.

Two of the reigning champions of ONE Championship are Chinese. Reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan, 30, of Beijing, China was crowned on January 20, 2018 while Kai Ting “Killer Bee” Chuang, 23, of Chinese Taipei became the ONE Super Series Kickboxing Atomweight World Champion on July 7, 2018.

Xiong will defend her title for the second time at “ONE: Beyond the Horizon” at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China on September 8, 2018.

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WBC approves ONE Championship ring for Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in Bangkok

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai

The World Boxing Council (WBC) has given its stamp of approval for ONE Championship to use its five-rope ring in the upcoming title defense of Thai boxer Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, 31, of his sought-after super flyweight crown against Mexican challenger Iran “MagnifiKO” Diaz, 28. The two will make their debut in ONE Championship, a Singapore-based mixed martial arts organization established in 2011.

In July 2018, ONE Championship made a blockbuster announcement of entering into the sport of boxing, forming a partnership with Nakornloung Promotion (NKL) to co-promote the next title defense of Sor Rungvisai. The Thai boxing champ puts his WBC Super Flyweight World Championship on the line against Diaz in the main event of “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes,” which will take place at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on October 6, 2018.

All bouts at “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes” are expected to be held inside the ONE Championship ring. The fight card includes matches that are officiated under mixed martial arts, Muay Thai and kickboxing rules.

Hosting the first professional boxing bout in its seven-year history, ONE Championship has received the WBC’s endorsement for the usage of its ring. The ring was first unveiled at “ONE: Heroes of Honor” in Manila, Philippines in April 2018.

“We are thrilled to work with ONE Championship for the upcoming event in October,” WBC vice president Kovid Pakdeepoom stated. “Our association with a world-class organization like ONE Championship satisfies our goal in nurturing the legacy of boxing across the globe.”

“ONE Championship has made groundbreaking initiatives in the development of mixed martial arts and other forms of martial arts in Asia and around the globe,” Pakdeepoom added. “Certainly, there’s so much that everyone should be excited about this event in Bangkok.”

The ONE Championship ring measures by an external dimension of 28 feet by 28 feet, while its internal dimension is 24 feet by 24 feet. Surrounded by five ropes in bright white, the ring canvas is light gray, in typical color of the promotion’s traditional cage.

Since its maiden appearance, the ONE Championship ring has been used at two events in China. It will once again be utilized as a battlefield at “ONE: Beyond the Horizon” in Shanghai, China on September 8, 2018.

“ONE: Beyond the Horizon” will be headlined by reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan, 30, of China and her challenger Samara “Marituba” Santos, 25, of Brazil.

#Bangkok #ONEChampionship #WBC