ONE Championship has just announced that it has established a professional kickboxing league that features the absolute best in local and international striking talent from around the world.
ONE Championship Kickboxing aims to provide the world’s best martial artists a prestigious global platform to showcase the beauty of Asia’s striking arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Wushu, Sanda, Silat, Lethwei, and more.
“Over the years, ONE Championship has earned its reputation as the Home of Martial Arts by showcasing the most exciting authentic martial arts action on the planet,” said Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship. “Asia has been the home of martial arts for 5,000 years, and we will now showcase Asia’s striking arts to fans from around the world. Featuring the best martial arts talent across the globe, ONE Championship Kickboxing aims to showcase Asia’s striking arts front and center as part of our ONE Championship live events.
“As a fan, you will see an array of Asia’s martial arts in action such as Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Kung Fu, Lethwei, and many others.”
Last January 26, ONE held a kickboxing exhibition bout during ONE: Global Superheroes, that saw Sam-A Gaiyanghadao stun reigning WBA Super Bantamweight, then interim WBC Super Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Joseph “Hurricane” Lasiri in the second round.
On Friday, April 20, ONE Championship Kickboxing will launch in Manila, Philippines at ONE: Heroes of Honor in the Mall of Asia Arena.
Some of the warriors who have signed on with ONE Championship Kickboxing include top Muay Thai talents such as multiple-time Muay Thai world champions Petchboonchu FA Group, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Yodsaenklai Fairtex, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, Singtongnoi Por Telakun, Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, Sagetdao Petpayathai, Kwankhao Mor. Rattanabandit, Yodcherry Sityodtong, as well as international superstar world champions Giorgio Petrosyan, Fabio Pinca, Alain Ngalani, Regian Ersel, and Sergej Maslobojev.
“ONE Championship is dedicated to giving fans an authentic martial arts experience. We are proud to announce that the absolute best strikers in the world have chosen to continue their professional careers under the ONE banner,” continued Sityodtong. “Fans will be treated to the most exciting kickboxing matches where the best face the best inside of both our ring and our cage. Some matches will be under standard international kickboxing rules in our ring, and other matches will be under modified hybrid striking rules in our cage.
“This is a game changer in the world of martial arts, and I am excited to kick things off this April.”
Italian Giorgio Petrosyan takes on Thai Jo Nattawut in the inaugural match-up of the league.
Giorgio Petrosyan of Italy, 32, is known as one of the finest offensive talents in the world. Petrosyan began his professional Muay Thai career at the age of 16, competing between bantamweight and middleweight, winning multiple titles across each division. He sports a professional kickboxing record of 85-2-2, 2NC and is known for his incredible 6-year 42-bout win streak, which is considered one of the most dominant reigns in middleweight history.
Petrosyan will face Jo Nattawut in his ONE Championship Kickboxing debut in April at ONE: Heroes of Honor in Manila.
“Smokin” Jo Nattawut of Korat, Thailand is a 25-year-old kickboxing star from Atlanta, Georgia with a professional kickboxing record of 60-11-2. A Lion Fight Super Welterweight Champion and WMC Champion, Nattawut is known for his powerful elbow and knee strikes.
