6 Stars Confirmed For ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’
“The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” just gained a ton of star power.
On 13 August 2020, ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced that six mixed martial arts superstars will serve as guests on the upcoming reality television show.
Those superstars are former ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera, ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee, ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan, Indian Wrestling Champion Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat, and multiple-time Karate World Champion “Super” Sage Northcutt.
“I am excited to announce the ONE Championship athletes and World Champions ready to join me on ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’ as special guest stars,” Sityodtong said.
“Our athletes at ONE Championship are the backbone of our organization. They are real-life, modern-day heroes who inspire the world with their incredible stories. Their discipline and wisdom will inspire and mentor our contestants. It is my honor to star alongside these amazing human beings on the show.”
One athlete is expected to guest star per episode. They’ll participate in physical challenges that test the athletic abilities and cardio endurance of the contestants.
From the sound of it, these mixed martial artists are thrilled to be taking part.
“It’s a huge honor to be selected as a guest star on ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,’ one of the greatest shows ever. With Chatri [Sityodtong] leading the series, I know it’s going to be amazing,” said Vera, who also has experience acting in movies.
“I’ve been dreaming of the possibilities and the many things I can learn from this experience. I’m really excited to be a part of the show and help in any way I can, especially in the physical endurance challenges. I get to go from the gym to the boardroom war tables, let’s make it happen!”
Lee, who co-owns United BJJ with her husband, ONE bantamweight star Bruno Pucci, also expressed her enthusiasm.
“’The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’ is a great opportunity to bring together two very different worlds – martial arts and business, and I’m excited to see how those two worlds unite,” she said.
“I’m honored to be able to share my experiences, my talents, and my presence on the show. Being the youngest mixed martial arts World Champion in history, I know I have a lot to offer the contestants as far as experience and work ethic goes, and I can’t wait to impart some of my knowledge that could help them in their journey. As far as physical challenges go, I am ready!”
Johnson, who is also the CEO of MightyGaming and the Chief Brand Ambassador for ONE Esports, is excited to test both himself and the contestants.
“‘The Apprentice’ is one of the biggest reality television franchises in history, and it is my absolute pleasure to appear on ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,’” he said.
“I have no doubt ONE Championship will put a very interesting spin on the traditional format. I’m looking forward to participating in all sorts of challenges, from physical endurance challenges to business challenges.”
Xiong, the reigning strawweight queen and China’s first-ever Mixed Martial Arts World Champion, is grateful for the opportunity to appear on the show.
“I always love interacting with fans, and now I am honored to have a spot on ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.’ Whatever the challenges may be, whether they are athletic or business challenges, I’m up for it. Of course, I’m also open to learning as much as I can from Chatri, from the contestants, and from the many CEOs also appearing,” Xiong said.
“Getting to share my experience as a World Champion, I can’t wait to get this started and offer what I can to the show. It’s a privilege to be selected among the athlete guest stars, and to be able to represent China globally on one of the biggest television shows in history is a dream come true.”
Northcutt, a 77-time Karate World Champion who was inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall Of Fame in 2012 at the age of 15, is elated to have been selected as a guest star.
“I’m so excited to be on ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.’ While martial arts is a lot different from the business world, I’m sure there are also many similarities. I’m excited to appear on the show and learn from Mr. Chatri, a martial artist and an entrepreneur,” Northcutt said.
“I’m also looking forward to participating in the physical challenges! I’m super competitive and, as always, I’m going to give it my all. I’m thrilled to be able to help bring the world of martial arts and business together.”
Phogat, whose family served as the inspiration for the 2016 blockbuster film ‘Dangal,’ is excited to work with the contestants and learn from some of the greatest entrepreneurs on the planet.
“It feels really good to be selected to guest star on ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.’ I feel honored and privileged to appear on the show with so many top leaders of the business world,” Phogat said.
“As an athlete, you are always part of a team – a team which consists of players, coaches, managers, doctors, and more, and everyone has their role and everyone helps each other to achieve common goals. Similarly, in business, there are individuals with special skill sets, and they come together and work together to achieve common and individual goals.
“It will be very interesting to observe, learn, and connect with my experience on ‘The Apprentice.’ I’m also looking forward to participating in the physical challenges with the contestants!”
Read more: Meet The 4 Guest CEOs Confirmed For ‘The Apprentice’