Mixed martial arts fans around the world have reason to celebrate as ONE Championship is set to showcase more than 60 events in 2024, marking a triumphant return to the forefront of the sport. This comes after a period where Muay Thai took the spotlight in the Asia-based promotion.
CEO Chatri Sityodtong expressed his anticipation for the milestone, stating, “Next year is going to be a record high number of events. I think that will get fans and athletes super pumped.”
In the wake of a global boxing market competition, ONE Championship is planning to introduce the domestic sports market to mixed martial arts in a big way.
Chatri further highlighted, “You’re going to see MMA back in full force. We have our US stadium shows, we have Qatar, Japan. In the Philippines, we have one or two shows. We’ve laid the groundwork and feel very comfortable it’s running on autopilot, and now we’re able to scale up.”
Furthermore, Chatri hinted at a significant expansion into Europe in 2024, adding, “I think in the next couple of weeks I will be making a major announcement for Europe, our biggest for Europe in our history. It’s very exciting.”
Additionally, ONE Championship has announced its return to Japan with two massive events in the pipeline for 2024, setting the stage for some sensational showdowns featuring the world’s best martial artists.
Moreover, the promotion’s decision to postpone the Qatar event from December 1 to March 1 was a joint effort between ONE and key stakeholders, considering the challenging circumstances in the region. Chatri confirmed that the event will proceed as planned on the new date and expressed gratitude to all involved parties for their support.
In the coming days, fans can look forward to the revelation of some world title fights that will headline the stellar fight cards in the upcoming events.
Takeru Segawa, the former K-1 Kickboxing champion, is expected to make his debut in one of the Japanese events, and according to Chatri, excitement is brewing as potential fight details are being finalised.
Chatri optimistically remarked, “I don’t think Takeru is training so hard for no reason. When I look at his Instagram, I think ‘my goodness this guy is a monster.’ I would love to announce it right now but I’m under the shackles because of the big announcement that will be coming in the next couple of weeks.”
The buzz surrounding the throng of upcoming events in 2024 is palpable, as ONE Championship’s dedication to bringing high-calibre martial arts entertainment to fans globally remains unwavering.