ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong had some major announcements, continuing his mission to make Muay Thai bigger and more exciting.
Speaking in front of Thai and global press at the ONE Fight Night 6: Superbon vs. Allazov Press Conference last Wednesday, the ONE leader declared a massive tournament, a World Title matchup, and a sizable donation to move the sport forward.
16-Man Openweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix
Perhaps the biggest announcement that Sityodtong made was the ONE Openweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix, which will see 16 of the best Muay Thai practitioners from all over the world compete against each other for US$1,000,000.
“I’m announcing the greatest Grand Prix in the history of the sport of Muay Thai, 1 million US Dollars. Sixteen of the best strikers in the world will descend this year for 1 million US Dollars,” Sityodtong said.
It will be huge, as every top Muay Thai star on the planet could take part in the massive tournament, regardless of their weight. It will also be the first time The Home of Martial Arts will hold an openweight tournament in any sport.
“I promise you this will blow up the sport all over the world. With our global broadcast, people will be tuning in all over the world,” Sityodtong said.
“The very best, the very, very, very best, irrespective of weight class. Muay Thai world champions will be competing, 16 of the world’s best.”
Stamp Vs. Meksen For Interim Atomweight Kickboxing World Title
Another major announcement that Sityodtong made was the assurance that Stamp Fairtex and Anissa Meksen will be meeting each other again, this time for the ONE Interim Atomweight Kickboxing World Title.
Stamp and Meksen are set to compete in a mixed rules super-fight this Saturday, 14 January, wherein they’ll alternate between Muay Thai and MMA rounds.
If both ladies come out injury-free after this match, then fans can expect the two top strikers on the planet to compete for the ONE Women’s Interim Atomweight Kickboxing World Title either this February or March.
“Anissa Meksen obviously is the greatest female striker on the planet. Today, I’m announcing the interim kickboxing world title fight. After their fight on Saturday, they will face each other, either in February, if they’re injury-free, [or], if not, March.”
ONE Donates 10 Million Baht To Small Thai Gyms
The final announcement Sityodtong made was the donation that the organization will be making to small Muay Thai gyms all over Thailand.
Sityodtong has been hellbent on showcasing Muay Thai to the world, starting with ONE Lumpinee on 20 January and, of course, the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title match between Superbon Singha Mawynn and Chingiz Allazov this Saturday.
Now, The Home of Martial Arts is looking to help gyms in Thailand discover new Superbons and Rodtangs.
“I’m making a 10-million-baht donation. I’m doing a Thailand tour to the smallest gyms all over Thailand. We are doing this on January 28th,” he said.
“The week of January 28th, myself, our managing director, Khun Prem, Khun Dang from the Royal Thai Army, Plai [Jitinat Asdamongkol], our president from Thailand, we’ll be doing a Thailand tour all over Thailand to donate 10 million baht to revive all the smaller gyms and smaller camps.”
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