Australian Muay Thai And MMA Fighters React To Landmark Seven Network Broadcast Deal
ONE Championship recently announced a major broadcast deal that will grant unprecedented access to fans in “The Land Down Under.”
Under the new partnership with Australian broadcast giant Seven Network, all ONE events will air live and free on the 7plus streaming platform. The partnership officially kicked off with ONE Friday Fights 9 on March 17.
As excitement builds across the country, here’s what the organization’s most beloved Australian Muay Thai and MMA fighters said about the landmark deal.
Martin Nguyen
Martin Nguyen is the most successful Australian MMA fighter to ever compete inside the Circle.
The former two-division ONE World Champion, who is fresh off his thrilling win over Leonardo Casotti last month, is excited to see the organization making big strides in his home country and hopes this partnership with Seven is just the beginning.
He said:
“Finally cracking into ‘The Land Down Under.’ Now, we just need an event here.”
John Wayne Parr
Muay Thai legend John Wayne Parr echoed Nguyen’s sentiments.
“The Gunslinger” is thrilled to see ONE’s new partnership with Seven come to fruition, and he believes this is a huge step toward growing and nurturing the Aussie scene.
Parr said:
“Wow! That’s absolutely amazing for the growth of [combat] sports here in Australia.
“I’m so happy for ONE Championship and the direction they are going with promoting martial arts and inspiring young people to get into the gyms and compete.”
Danial Williams
The announcement came just at the right time for multi-sport superstar Danial Williams, who faces Rui Botelho at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video this Friday, March 24.
“Mini T’s” next fight will now air live on 7plus in Australia, and he couldn’t be any happier.
He said:
“This is huge. Australians can now easily access Muay Thai, kickboxing, submission grappling, and MMA fights at the highest level without breaking the bank. I know kids who wanted to watch my fights, but their parents wouldn’t get the PPV, and this will only inspire the next generation of Australian martial artists with it being brought to the mainstream.”
Reece McLaren
Fourth-ranked flyweight contender Reece McLaren is preparing to face former flyweight king and #2-ranked Kairat Akhmetov at ONE Fight Night 10 on May 5.
As well as being involved in the organization’s highly anticipated U.S. debut, “Lightning” is equally happy to see ONE’s content now available on Seven.
He simply said:
“This is awesome!”
Diandra Martin
Strawweight Muay Thai dynamo Diandra Martin will also be making the journey to Broomfield, Colorado, where she will lock horns with Jackie Buntan.
The Canberra resident is glad to see that combat sports, particularly Muay Thai, will finally be broadcast into Australian homes.
Martin said:
“I think this is massive! It will be good to get more publicity in Muay Thai. Awesome!”
Tyson Harrison
Rising Muay Thai star Tyson Harrison, who engaged in an all-time classic against Seksan Or Kwanmuang in January, was also quick to praise the landmark announcement.
The man known as “John Wayne Noi” hopes that having “the art of eight limbs” available on free-to-air television in his homeland will empower others to reap the same benefits that he has gained from the sport.
He said:
“I was so happy to hear the news that ONE Championship is collaborating with Channel 7 Australia. This will bring a new audience to the Muay Thai scene as it’s about time that Muay Thai becomes more mainstream and recognized for the art it is.
“I am so grateful to be a part of this evolving era of ONE Championship and making my dream of being a household name one step closer [to becoming a reality]. Muay Thai is a positive, disciplined sport that saved myself and others from going down the wrong path. ONE Championship on Channel 7 in Australia will inspire others and can inspire the youth to live an alternative lifestyle.”
Celeste Hansen
Coming off a successful TKO victory in her promotional debut, Celeste Hansen is overjoyed to know that fans in “The Land Down Under” will now be able to watch ONE Championship on Seven.
In fact, the Fairtex representative feels that it could be a game-changer.
She said:
“It means so much to me and all Australians who fight in ONE to know that everyone can join in on our journey and support us. Now, maybe the Australian media can support us too. This is absolutely amazing, and I’m so excited for the future.”
