ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong is open to co-promoting an event only with the UFC, as he believes they are the two biggest players in combat sports.
ONE Championship has expressed no interest in collaborating with other MMA organizations in the near future. This comes from ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong, who dismissed the notion of joining forces with any other promotion similar to what Bellator MMA has done with RIZIN in recent years. Co-promotion across MMA happens infrequently, and Sityodtong does not see a need for ONE Championship to explore this avenue unless opportunities arise with what he considers the other biggest show on the market – UFC.
Sityodtong believes that the UFC and ONE Championship are the two biggest players in combat sports, citing a Nielsen study measuring everything from organic reach on television to social media influence and video views across numerous platforms. In terms of television reach, ONE Championship sits at 406 million viewers, with the UFC at 259 million globally. This belief in the strength of ONE Championship and UFC led Sityodtong to see little value in co-promotion with another brand.
It’s not just about hype or marketing for Sityodtong; it ultimately comes down to the talent and ability of the fighters. He is confident in the talent of ONE athletes and is more interested in competition rather than amassing wealth. “Yes, I’m a businessman, I’m an entrepreneur, but I’m a lifelong martial artist,” Sityodtong said, explaining that money does not motivate him as much as his passion for martial arts.
While it remains doubtful that the UFC would partner with anybody, Sityodtong is not particularly challenging the promotion. He is more than content with the product and fighters in ONE Championship. His interest in co-promotion stems from his competitive spirit and drive for martial arts rather than any financial gain.