The Middle East is currently witnessing a surge in interest in combat sports, and ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial arts organisation, is committed to supporting the development of local heroes on a global scale, while also promoting grassroots participation in the sport.
With the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar hosting events from the biggest promotions in the world, the region has become a hotspot for combat sports. Television and digital viewership of martial arts have reached unprecedented levels, making it a golden period for the sport, particularly in the Middle East.
In March, ONE Championship made a significant move into the Middle East with its first major event in Qatar. The event, ONE 166: Qatar, was a resounding success, drawing in a near sell-out crowd at the Lusail Sports Arena and providing global exposure for regional fighters.
The fight card featured a number of regional stars, including renowned Saudi-Yemeni Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner Osamah Almarwai, Iran’s dangerous MMA heavyweight Amir Aliakbari, and Saudi boxing champion Zuhayr Al-Qahtani. It was clear that ONE Championship wanted to showcase a strong regional presence by featuring fighters of Arab descent, rather than just presenting their regular lineup of fighters.
Hua Fung Teh, Group President at ONE Championship, expressed his admiration for the event, stating, “These are all high-level fighters that we have on our roster. I thought it was just amazing how our team was able to put together a card that brought together the best of what the world had to offer, and also the best of what the region had to offer.”
The success of ONE 166: Qatar further solidifies the organisation’s already significant popularity in the region, where a young, digitally engaged population with a passion for consuming content makes for the perfect demographic for promotions like ONE Championship.
According to Mr. Teh, the Middle East presents a compelling market for ONE Championship, with its large and enthusiastic audience. He expressed the organisation’s intention to hold more events in the region in the future, recognizing the potential for growth and expansion.
However, Mr. Teh emphasized that building martial arts in the region goes beyond hosting events. It involves a ground-up approach, including identifying talent and providing a clear pathway for individuals to reach professional ranks.
He stressed the importance of grassroots development, stating, “I think grassroots has to be part of any kind of long-term strategy in a region. We have a track record of working with local grassroots, federations, and gyms to develop that talent. We even have local leagues organised in specific countries, called Road to ONE. We are all excited about figuring out what the next step is for local talent. We want to have local heroes on a global stage.”
Mr. Teh also highlighted the significance of nurturing local talent, as these individuals can become global icons, representing their countries on the international stage. He drew attention to the dual approach of building talent internally and signing established fighters, emphasizing the value of discovering and developing fighters through grassroots efforts.
In conclusion, ONE Championship’s commitment to growing martial arts in the MENA region is evident through its strategic expansion and emphasis on grassroots development. As the sport continues to gain momentum in the Middle East, the organisation’s efforts are poised to cultivate a new generation of local heroes who will make their mark on the global stage.