ICYMI: Everything That Went Down In ONE Championship In March 2023
As 2023 rolls on, big things continue to happen at ONE Championship.
In the past month, the world’s largest martial arts organization held three blockbuster World Title fights, hosted six events stacked with top-tier talent, and signed a monumental broadcast deal.
Also, the promotion continued to march toward its historic on-ground debut in the United States, which is now less than five weeks away.
So, to keep the global fan base up-to-date, we look back at all the major happenings from March 2023.
Regian Eersel Retains World Title, Sam-A Returns at ONE Friday Fights 9
ONE Friday Fights 9 on March 17 was the biggest edition of the weekly show from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium yet.
In the main event, two-sport ONE World Champion Regian Eersel extended his incredible years-long winning streak and successfully defended his lightweight Muay Thai crown, as he knocked out Thai rival Sinsamut Klinmee in spectacular fashion.
And lower on the card, legendary striker and former multi-time ONE World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao made his much-anticipated return. The 39-year-old was in top form, as he finished Irish slugger Ryan Sheehan with a stunning knockout in the second round of their strawweight Muay Thai clash.
Superlek, Allycia Hellen Rodrigues, and Ham Seo Hee Impress At ONE Fight Night 8
Just a week later, ONE Fight Night 8: Superlek vs. Williams on Prime Video aired live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The show was originally slated for a main event clash between ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 and divisional Muay Thai kingpin Rodtang Jitmuangnon. However, when “The Iron Man” withdrew due to injury, Aussie fan favorite Danial Williams stepped up on just a few days’ notice to challenge for the kickboxing crown.
Williams made a valiant effort, but Superlek knocked him out with a barrage of strikes in the third round to notch his first successful ONE World Title defense.
The co-main event saw ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues return to action after nearly three years away from competition. The Brazilian went toe-to-toe with interim atomweight Muay Thai queen Janet Todd for five entertaining rounds, ultimately scoring the unanimous decision and unifying the belts.
Also, South Korean superstar Ham Seo Hee secured a unanimous decision victory over Itsuki Hirata and earned a shot at the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Title in the process.
5 More Installments Of ONE Friday Fights
Weekly shows at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, continued throughout the month, bringing world-class striking and MMA contests to the historic venue. In March, there were five installments of the ONE Friday Fights event series.
First, ONE Friday Fights 7 saw 19-year-old Muay Thai prodigy Rambolek Chor Alajaboon shine in his promotional debut against Theeradet Chor Hapayak, scoring a stunning second-round knockout.
The next week, in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 8, Petsukumvit Boi Bangna picked up his second win in ONE, announcing himself as one of the flyweight Muay Thai division’s most dangerous contenders.
At ONE Friday Fights 10, Muay Thai sensation Theptaksin Sor Sornsing made a splash in his promotional debut, earning a thrilling victory over compatriot Yodkritsada Sor Sommai. And finally, at ONE Friday Fights 11, Superball Tded99 earned his second decision win over Kongklai Annymuaythai.
ONE Fight Night 10 Sells Out
In other news, American fans have spoken, and they are excited to finally see ONE Championship on U.S. soil.
ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III on Prime Video is set to go down at 1stBank Center in Colorado on May 5, and it will mark the organization’s first-ever show in North America.
Headlined by a blockbuster World Title trilogy match between Demetrious Johnson and Adriano Moraes, the event is still over a month away and has already sold out.
Simply put, ONE Fight Night 10 quickly became the hottest ticket in town, and for good reason.
ONE Signs Major Broadcast Deal In Australia
ONE’s massive global platform has grown even bigger after signing a landmark deal with the Seven Network, Australia’s leading television network and most-watched sports broadcaster in the country.
This marks the first time ever that Seven will air MMA content on its network. And now, fans in the country will get to see the best of the best in combat sports on Australian airwaves.
Both ONE Fight Night and ONE Friday Fights will air live and free on 7plus, reaching over 13.5 million nationwide users.
