ONE Championship’s Chatri Sityodtong is confident that his product delivers more entertainment than the UFC.
ONE Fight Night 14 saw the promotion return to Singapore this past Friday night for the first time since March, making it only the second event ONE has held in the country that formerly hosted the majority of its events. Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium has largely taken over as ONE’s home base in 2023 and delivered event after event with countless thrilling bouts making up each card.
Perhaps Sityodtong’s biggest selling point with ONE is that it’s evolved into an overall martial arts promotion with more than just MMA, including Muay Thai, kickboxing, and grappling matches. With striking as a clear focus in ONE, Sityodtong believes it has given a distinct edge over all others.
“I think most fans will say now that ONE is the most exciting promotion, especially if you watch ONE Friday Fights. That is some insane stuff and I think Joe Rogan even came out yesterday or the day before and was saying, ‘ONE has the most exciting product,’ and I agree,” Sityodtong told media after ONE Fight Night 14 (h/t South China Morning Post).
“What you see in, let’s say the UFC, is very sloppy, mediocre-ish striking because they’re not strikers. A typical UFC fighter is a D-1 college wrestler, 7-0 in the minor leagues and then they do a little bit of striking then they enter the UFC. At ONE, all these are world champions before they arrive and they’re already multiple [time] world champions at their peak of their career when they arrive. Anyone from an Anissa Meksen to a [Jonathan] DiBella, a Rodtang [Jitmuangnon], or Tawanchai [P.K. Saenchai], or Superbon [Singha Mawynn] … or any of these legit killers.
“That’s what makes us different. If you look at our roster, I think UFC has about 700 athletes and so do we. Around there. But if you look at the number of world championship titles that our athletes have won before they joined ONE, it’s like half the organization. You go to a UFC or a Bellator, it’s like maybe 20, 30 maximum. That’s why you see a lot of sloppy jiu-jitsu, sloppy low-level striking in those organizations whereas in ONE you see the very, very best on the planet in each of their disciplines and of course, MMA as well. I think bar none, we have the most exciting experience for fans all over the world.”
ONE and UFC are no strangers to each other, having pulled off the only “trade” in MMA history when Ben Askren was swapped for Demetrious Johnson in 2019. Outside of that, multiple fighters have jumped to and from organizations over the years as evidenced by former ONE bantamweight champion John Lineker competing and defeating Stephan Loman by unanimous decision at this last event.
In the main event of ONE Fight Night 14, former UFC strawweight and Korean pioneer Seo Hee Ham battled Thailand’s Stamp Fairtex for the vacant 115-pound atomweight title. Stamp pulled off a stunning third-round TKO with body punches to the veteran Ham after a tough first two rounds. As a result, Stamp has now held three different combat sports titles, having previously been a ONE champion in Muay Thai and kickboxing. Therefore, making her “the greatest pound-for-pound female combat athlete on the planet,” according to Sityodtong.
“People definitely see the level difference of our strikers vs. a UFC striker, definitely. Not even close,” Sityodtong said. “Even our MMA strikers like a Stamp Fairtex, much, much crisper and cleaner than 99.9 percent of the roster of our competitor.”
Update. Sean O’Malley: UFC ‘wants me to main event my own show,’ expects early 2024 return
Patriotism. Robert Whittaker not surprised Australian crowd supported Sean Strickland over Israel Adesanya
Roundtable. What’s the No. 1 can’t-miss event left on the UFC’s 2023 schedule?
Upset. Eric Nicksick reveals unconventional way MMA could help Francis Ngannou ‘shock the world’ against Tyson Fury
Next. Aljamain Sterling wins grappling match, calls out Sean O’Malley: ‘Be a man … give me my rematch or fight Merab’
Boxing. Terence Crawford tears into Jermell Charlo after blowout Canelo loss, callout: ‘You should be ashamed’
Socials. ‘Canelo TURNT‘: Fighters react to Canelo Alvarez’s domination of Jermell Charlo
Matchmaking. ‘I can’t wait to beat up this a******’: Francisco Trinaldo calls out Mike Perry for BKFC brawl
Drama. Johnny Eblen talks gruesome Bellator 299 cut, denies spitting on Fabian Edwards in post-fight altercation
Canelo-Charlo Post-Fight.
Catching up with Stipe Miocic.
Islam’s win streak.
Undefeated UFC welterweight.
Apparel.
Free fights.
Full fights.
ONE fight Night 14 highlights.
PFL Paris highlights.
3 for 3.
Holloway in Japan.
Hardy’s most feared.
Healthy Darren.
Time.
I’ve got all the time in the world…⌚️
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) September 30, 2023
Sus.
I don’t know what’s the minimum medical suspension in boxing but I really don’t understand how Tyson can fight in December after what’s going to happen on 10/28 #FuryNgannou
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) September 30, 2023
Brazilian legends.
Return?
Incredible.
Farewell, Angela.
Joji!
Still can’t believe Joji Goto hit this same twister/spinal lock twice in the span of 3 months. That will be a weird MMA trivia answer one day. First fighter to get back-to-back twisters. pic.twitter.com/cEBzznRBVC
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) October 1, 2023
It is, Do Bronx.
Can’t be real. right?
— Charles ‘DoBronxs’ Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) October 1, 2023
Suga.
Classic Weili.
Health.
Dreams.
Soon.
Chad Anheliger (12-6) vs. José Johnson (15-8); UFC Vegas 82, Nov. 18
Charles Johnson (13-5) vs. Rafael Estevam (11-0); UFC Vegas 82, Nov. 18
Jonathan Pearce (14-4) vs. Joanderson Brito (13-5-1); UFC Vegas 82, Nov. 18
This is one of those cases where I wouldn’t say Chatri is entirely accurate with the specifics of what fighters are in the UFC, but for the most part, he is right. It’s also pretty rare to see a bad ONE card.
Thanks for reading!
Last Week’s Results:
Friday: 66% of 469 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Should Nick and Nate Diaz be in the UFC Hall of Fame one day?”
Thursday: 47% of 221 total votes answered “UFC 296” when asked, “Which of the final three UFC PPVs of 2023 are you most looking forward to?”
Wednesday: 83% of 584 total votes answered “Stipe Miocic against Jon Jones” when asked, “Who has a better chance of winning their upcoming bouts?”
Tuesday: 45% of 667 total votes answered “Jiri Prochazka” when asked, “Who will be the UFC light heavyweight champion this time next year?”
Monday: 64% of 429 total votes answered “Colby Covington” when asked, “Who would be a harder stylistic matchup for Islam Makhachev at welterweight?”
Today’s exit poll:
Poll
Are ONE Championship events more entertaining than UFC events?
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.