50 Facts About One Championship

The Birth and Leadership of One Championship

One Championship has become a global powerhouse in martial arts. Let's dive into its origins and the people steering the ship.

1. Founding: One Championship was founded by Chatri Sityodtong and Victor Cui on July 14, 2011.
2. Leadership: The organization is led by Chatri Sityodtong as the chairman and CEO, Saurabh Mittal as the vice chairman, Hua Fung Teh as the group president, and Jesley Chua as the CFO.
3. Matchmaking: Matches are made by Matt Hume, who serves as the matchmaker and Vice President of Operations.
4. Notable Executives: Rich Franklin, a former UFC Middleweight Champion, joined One Championship as a vice president in May 2014.

The Faces of One Championship

From referees to commentators, these individuals bring the events to life.

5. Referees: The referees for MMA matches include Olivier Coste, Mohamad Sulaiman, Kemp Cheng, and Justin Brown. Elias Dolaptsis handles Muay Thai and Kickboxing matches.
6. Ring Announcer: Dom Lau serves as the ring announcer for One Championship events.
7. Commentators: The regular color commentators for English-language television broadcasts are Mitch Chilson, Brent Stover, and Rich Franklin. Guest commentators include Josh Thomson, Jason Chambers, Bas Rutten, and Renzo Gracie.

Broadcasting One Championship

One Championship's reach extends far and wide, thanks to its numerous broadcast partners.

8. Broadcast Partners: One Championship has broadcast partnerships with various networks including RCTI (2015–2017), GTV (2012, repeat only for 2020–2021), iNews (2015–2017, repeat only for 2020–present), Moji (repeat only for 2022–2023, delayed in 2024-present), Indosiar (delayed in 2013–2014), SCTV (delayed in 2018–2022), Vidio (live in 2018–2022, 2024-present), Netverse (live in 2022–2023), NET. (delayed in 2022–2023), and BTV (repeat only for 2022–present) in Indonesia.
9. International Reach: The promotion also has broadcast deals in Singapore with MediaCorp Channel 5, the Philippines with ABS-CBN S+A/TV5/One Sports/LIGA Channel, Cambodia with MyTV, Malaysia with Astro Arena, TV9, and RTM, Thailand with Workpoint TV, Thairath TV (2016–2022), and Channel 7 (2023–present), Japan with TV Tokyo and AbemaTV.

Champions and Records

One Championship boasts a roster of incredible talent. Here are some of the standout champions and record holders.

10. Champions: One Championship has a variety of champions across different weight classes and martial arts disciplines. For example, Masakatsu Ueda is the current Bantamweight World Champion, while Xiong Jing Nan holds the Strawweight World Championship title.
11. Youngest Fighter: The youngest fighter to debut in One Championship was Supergirl Jaroonsak at 16 years and 9 months old.
12. Oldest Fighter: The oldest fighter to debut in One Championship was Renzo Gracie at 51 years and 4 months old.
13. Youngest Champion: Smilla Sundell became the youngest champion in One Championship history at 17 years and 5 months old.
14. Youngest Title Challenger: Zhang Peimian was the youngest title challenger at 19 years old.
15. Oldest Champion: Jadamba Narantungalag is the oldest champion in One Championship history at 38 years and 10 months old.
16. Longest Championship Reign: Angela Lee holds the record for the longest championship reign with 2703 days.
17. Shortest Championship Reign: Shinya Aoki holds the record for the shortest championship reign with 47 days.
18. Most Championship Reigns: Anatoly Malykhin has achieved the most championship reigns with four titles.

Fighters' Achievements

These fighters have made their mark with impressive records and achievements.

19. Most Fights: Eduard Folayang has participated in the most fights with 23 bouts.
20. Most Wins: Christian Lee has achieved the most wins with 17 victories.
21. Most Finishes: Rodtang Jitmuangnon holds the record for the most finishes with 16 wins.
22. Most Knockouts: Rodtang Jitmuangnon also holds the record for the most knockouts with 12 KOs.
23. Most Submissions: Shinya Aoki has achieved the most submissions with 10 tapouts.
24. Most Decision Wins: Rodtang Jitmuangnon holds the record for the most decision wins with 11 victories.
25. Most Title Fight Wins: Bibiano Fernandes has achieved the most title fight wins with 11 victories.
26. Most Title Fights: Bibiano Fernandes has participated in the most title fights with 13 bouts.
27. Most Cumulative Title Defenses: Bibiano Fernandes, Xiong Jing Nan, and Nong-O Gaiyanghadao have each achieved seven cumulative title defenses.
28. Longest Winning Streak: Rodtang Jitmuangnon holds the record for the longest winning streak with 14 consecutive victories.
29. Total Fight Time: Xiong Jing Nan has spent the most time in the cage with a total fight time of 3 hours, 13 minutes, and 48 seconds.

Fastest and Latest Records

Speed and timing are crucial in martial arts. Here are some of the fastest and latest records in One Championship.

30. Fastest Knockout: Timofey Nastyukhin and Capitan Petchyindee share the record for the fastest knockout at 0:06 seconds.
31. Fastest Submission: Dagi Arslanaliev holds the record for the fastest submission at 0:26 seconds.
32. Fastest Title Fight Knockout: Brandon Vera holds the record for the fastest title fight knockout at 0:26 seconds.
33. Latest Title Fight Knockout: Zebaztian Kadestam holds the record for the latest title fight knockout at 24:32 minutes.
34. Fastest Title Fight Submission: Marat Gafurov holds the record for the fastest title fight submission at 0:41 seconds.

Notable Events

One Championship has hosted numerous memorable events. Here are some highlights.

35. ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE: This 2018 event featured Xiong Jing Nan in the main event and was a highly action-packed night in Jakarta.
36. ONE: CENTURY: Set to be the biggest World Championship martial arts event in history, featuring 28 World Champions across various martial arts disciplines. It will take place on October 13, 2023, in Tokyo, Japan.
37. ONE: LIGHT OF A NATION: This 2017 event featured Aung La N Sang vs. Vitaly Bigdash in the main event in Yangon.
38. ONE: GRIT AND GLORY: This 2017 event showcased local hero Stefer “The Lion” Rahardian with one of his best performances, and the event also featured an epic ONE Strawweight World Title rematch between Alex “Little Rock” Silva and Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito.
39. ONE: ETERNAL GLORY: This 2019 event kicked off the year with a collection of highlight-reel finishes, including a nail-biting, 25-minute battle for the ONE Strawweight World Title between Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta and Joshua “The Passion” Pacio.
40. ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER: This 2019 event featured an epic Flyweight World Title bout between Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes and Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, showcasing their intense rivalry.
41. ONE: DYNASTY OF CHAMPIONS (Beijing II): This 2019 event included a thrilling Featherweight World Title unification match between Marat “Cobra” Gafurov and Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa, which went all the way to the fourth round before an undisputed World Champion was crowned.

Fighter Journeys and Achievements

The journeys of these fighters are inspiring and highlight the diversity in One Championship.

42. Championship Reigns: Angela Lee’s reign as the Atomweight World Champion is notable for its longevity, lasting over two years. Shinya Aoki’s reign as the Lightweight World Champion was the shortest, lasting only 47 days.
43. Title Defenses: Bibiano Fernandes, Xiong Jing Nan, and Nong-O Gaiyanghadao have each successfully defended their titles seven times, showcasing their dominance in their respective weight classes.
44. Fighters’ Achievements: Supergirl Jaroonsak and Wondergirl Fairtex are notable for their achievements in Muay Thai, each winning championships in their respective weight classes and making their mark in the martial arts world.
45. Sean Clancy’s Journey: Sean “Clubber” Clancy, a WBC Muay Thai World Champion, started training late in life but went on to achieve great success in the sport. His journey is an inspiration to many aspiring fighters.
46. Pongsiri PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym: Pongsiri PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym is known for his close relationship with his grandparents and his twin brother Sansiri, who is also a Muay Thai fighter. The twins are often referred to as “Fad Ayothaya”.
47. Supergirl and Wondergirl’s Achievements: Supergirl Jaroonsak and Wondergirl Fairtex achieved a lifelong dream by competing in the same event and each claiming a title. Supergirl won the PAT 115-pound Muay Thai Championship, while Wondergirl won the PAT 118-pound Muay Thai Championship.
48. Prach Buapa’s Achievements: Prach “SuperBest” Buapa won the prestigious One Shin Cup Championship in his amateur career before making his professional mixed martial arts debut. His achievements highlight the growth of amateur MMA in Thailand.
49. Witchayakorn Niamthanom’s Nickname: Witchayakorn Niamthanom, known as “SuperBenz,” has a unique nickname that reflects his love for Superman and Mercedes-Benz automobiles. His debut at ONE: A NEW BREED II is highly anticipated.

Global Reach and Future Prospects

One Championship continues to expand its reach globally, hosting events in various countries across Asia and beyond.

50. Global Reach: One Championship has expanded its reach globally, hosting events in various countries across Asia and beyond. Its commitment to promoting martial arts has made it a household name in the combat sports world.

One Championship's Impact on Martial Arts

One Championship has made a huge splash in the world of martial arts since its start in 2011. Founded by Chatri Sityodtong and Victor Cui, it’s become a major player, hosting events across Asia and beyond. With top-notch fighters like Angela Lee, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, and Bibiano Fernandes, the organization showcases a mix of MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing.

From record-breaking fights to young talents like Supergirl Jaroonsak, One Championship keeps fans on the edge of their seats. Its global reach through various broadcast partners ensures that martial arts enthusiasts everywhere can tune in. The promotion’s commitment to highlighting diverse fighting styles and cultures sets it apart.

One Championship continues to grow, innovate, and inspire, making it a cornerstone in the martial arts community. Its journey is far from over, and fans can expect even more thrilling moments ahead.