ONE Championship announces 4 US shows in 2024

ONE Championship is set for a massive push in the United States after its highly successful debut in the country last May.

ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced that The Home of Martial Arts will hold four events in the US next year, as the promotion looks to pick up from its strong start in the western nation.

“I am thrilled to announce that ONE Championship is coming back to the U.S. with four massive events in 2024. When we made our historic U.S. debut with ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video, I was blown away by the support we received from our fans in the U.S.,” Sityodtong said.

“ONE is home to the greatest martial artists in the world, and I’m excited to once again showcase our World Champions on American soil. To our fans that haven’t seen a live ONE event, I promise you an experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen.”

ONE started its North American conquest by partnering with streaming and retail giant Amazon, striking a 12-event deal that’s been airing in U.S. and Canadian primetime through Prime Video.

Last May, ONE finally made its long-awaited debut on American soil with ONE Fight Night 10 in Denver—an event that was welcomed by the hardcore MMA fans in the states.

The show was headlined by the greatest of all time in ONE Flyweight World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, who wrapped up his rivalry with Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes.

Some of the best Asian fighters also made a great account of themselves in ONE’s debut, with ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and former two-sport queen Stamp Fairtex gaining new fans in the country. ONE’s also home to some of the best American fighters in various sports, from ONE Strawweight World Champion Jarred Brooks in MMA, ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mikey Musumeci, and ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai top contender Jackie Buntan all making a name for themselves in the organization.

Andy Gemao made his much-awaited return to Farm Fresh-Letran after being with University of the Philippines for its Serbia camp. The NCAA Season 98 Juniors Basketball Finals MVP showed no rust, leading the way for the Milkers with 15 points.

Arwin Alforque and Juhniel Dela Rama chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively, as every player fielded by Allen Ricardo scored in the contest. Sherilin-Unisol, who fell to 0-2 in the five-team meet, was paced by Jerome Arboiz with 13 points and seven rebounds.

In the other game, Max Ballers evened its slate to 1-1 after blasting Cagayan de Oro, 89-74.

Dam De Guzman showed the way for the Davao-based team with 24 points and 16 rebounds while Wilhalm Cabonillas also notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Karlo Estomo also fired 25 points with nine boards for Max Ballers. Rex Alcover led the debuting Higalas with 17 points and six rebounds.

Bona, Diaz eye pair of wins in PPS Olivarez tilt

KENDRICK Bona and Jana Diaz face uphill battles hunting for another pair of victories in the Mayor Eric Olivarez national juniors tennis championships of the PPS-PEPP circuit, which got under way yesterday (Tuesday) with another huge field in Sucat, Paranaque.

The 304-player draw in nine agegroup categories surpassed the 272 entries who vied in last week’s Rep. Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat’s tournament in Biñan, Laguna that saw Bona and Diaz share MVP honors after sweeping the boys’ and girls’ 16- and 18-and-under singles titles, respectively.

To accommodate the big number of participants, PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director and tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay said they are using both the Paranaque Tennis Club courts and the main venue at the Olivarez Sports Center for the week-long Group 1 tournament.

The chase for the boys’ 16-and-under title is expected to be fierce with Bona bannering the 64-player draw that includes Reign Maravilla, Ariel Cabaral, Tristan Licayan, Samuel Davila, Andrew Serohijos and siblings Frank and France Dilao.

Bona also braces for a big Vince Serna rebound after the top-seeded bet bowed to Cabaral, 2-6, 3-6, in the 18-and-U semis last week and the former easing past Kale Villamar, 6-2, 6-0, and then routing Cabaral, 6-1, 6-2, in the finals.

Bona, from Puerto Princesa, earlier took the 16-and-U trophy with a 6-1, 2-0(ret.) win over Licayan.

Diaz, from Bacoor, Cavite, mastered Sandra Bautista twice, carving out a 6-4, 6-4 decision in 16-andunder and scoring a 6-2, 6-2 romp for the 18-and-U crown in the event which served as part of the country’s nationwide circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.