The mixed martial arts landscape in the United States is crowded with the UFC, Bellator, and PFL. However, an existing promotion that has held all of its events in Asia looks to overtake them all.
At the end of April, Amazon announced a multi-year deal with ONE Championship, with 12 events each year airing in primetime in the United States and Canada beginning in August. The organization has never held a show in the U.S. But that will change under their new distribution deal with sites to be determined in the near future.
"We are planning in early next year to come and throw a live event on ground in the U.S," ONE founder and CEO Chatri Sityodtong told DAZN ahead of Friday's ONE 158 event. "We have gotten Athletic Commission approval for our rule set in a few states. We're looking at venues right now as we speak. But again, we're very hyper-focused this year on the live primetime broadcast on Friday night(s) into the U.S. out of Singapore as a first step. So you will see the ramp-up of our U.S. event on grounds schedule over time."
Not only does ONE hold MMA cards, but they also run Muay Thai and kickboxing events. Sometimes, they have shows with some or all of the disciplines on one singular show. Now, with the company on the trek in attempting to get a foothold in America, Sityodtong has a couple of fighters that he feels people will gravitate to.
"I think Angela Lee has a phenomenal story," Sityodtong said. "Legit world championship skills, and obviously is our atomweight world champion. Adriano Moraes. who knocked out Demetrius Johnson last year, is a talent that people should pay attention to. I think that Rodtang (Jitmuangnon) in Muay Thai. He's definitely the most prolific striker on the planet today.
"We have the best of the best on the planet and that's something the American fans are going to be in for a real treat. We don't just have MMA. We're the home of martial arts. We showcase the very best of Muay Thai, kickboxing, submission grappling and MMA all in a single night."
The fighter currently most recognizable to the fight fans in the U.S. is Johnson.
Johnson is the former UFC flyweight champion and is viewed as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. He defended the 125-pound title on 11 consecutive occasions, which is still a UFC record, until losing to Henry Cejudo at UFC 227. That would be the last time Johnson fought inside the octagon as, in a first-time move, the UFC traded Johnson to ONE for Ben Askren.
"Mighty Mouse" jumped right out of the gate in ONE, winning his first three fights that culminated in winning the flyweight grand prix, which earned him a championship opportunity against Moraes in April 2021. Ultimately, Johnson lost by second-round knockout.
What is next for Johnson? Is it an immediate rematch, retire or climb back on the horse and look to earn another title shot? Johnson told DAZN recently he wants to continue. His boss agrees with the sentiment.
"I believe that Demetrius Johnson is the GOAT," Sityodtong said. "Yes, he had a bad knockout, the first knockout loss of his entire career. Previously in the UFC, he wasn't even close to being finished. I believe he had 11 title defenses there. I think that's one thing that American fans are going to be shocked, surprised, and delighted that our roster genuinely is the world's greatest championship roster in my opinion. The proof is in the pudding. DJ never even came close to getting finished in the UFC. And in his first title shot, he was knocked out.
"You look at DJ's actual skills today. He's in his prime. He's just as fast as ever. His striking, grappling, transitions, his cage work. He has it all. He's a complete fighter. For me, if you look at his accolades and credentials, he's the GOAT. There's no ifs, ands, or buts."