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ONE Championship: MMA ‘back in full force’ in 2024 calendar, more than 60 events ‘around the world’
- Asia-based promotion heading back to ‘key markets’ – and breaking new ground in Europe – with ‘focus firmly back on mixed martial arts’
- ‘Next year is going to be a record high number of events. I think that will get fans and athletes super pumped,’ CEO Chatri says
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Mixed martial arts will return to the forefront in ONE Championship next year, with more than 60 events set for 2024 including multiple new locations.
Muay Thai took centre stage this year in the Asia-based martial arts promotion after the launch of the weekly ONE Friday Fights product at Lumpinee Stadium.
That pushed MMA to the background, somewhat, with several divisions stalling and some fighters venting frustrations on social media, while only three events have been held outside Bangkok in 2023.
But CEO and chairman Chatri Sityodtong told the Post that Christian Lee will return to action in February for a title defence, and strawweight MMA champion Jarred Brooks will rematch Joshua Pacio early next year.
“You’re going to see MMA back in full force,” Chatri said. “We have our US stadium shows, we have Qatar, Japan. In the Philippines we have one or two shows.
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