MMA on the rise
One Championship ‘invades’ Chinese market
China is no stranger to martial arts, as kung fu and wushu have developed over centuries in the country, but mixed martial arts (MMA) is a very different proposition.
Currently, there are several domestic MMA events held regularly in China, with Kunlun Duel the leading name in homegrown competitions.
However, they are now facing a growing “invader,” with Asian MMA promotion One Championship now stepping into the Chinese market.
Founded in 2011, and holding fights in its distinctive circular cage across Asia, the Singaporebased company, widely regarded as Asia’s largest MMA promotion, has staged two events this year in China. Six more events are set to take place in the second half of the year, with Macao heading the list in August.
But Chatri Sityodtong, founder and chairman of One Championship, dismisses any talk of being an “invader” and insists they are coming to help promote MMA.
“I would love to partner with them [Chinese MMA promotions],” said Sityodtong. “We are coming to China to make friends, not to create problems … We want to grow MMA sports together.”
Temasek enters ring
Globally, MMA’s popularity is on the rise, mainly thanks to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) dominance in the Western hemisphere.
MMA’s rapid growth has attracted millions of TV viewers internationally, and One Championship’s matches are broadcast across 118 countries and regions around the world.
After securing a major deal with Heliconia Capital Management last week, an investment arm of Singapore government-owned Temasek Holdings, One Championship is taking big steps.
It plans to open a Shanghai office this year, according to Sityodtong. He added that One Championship is doing 12 events in China next year and will have 24 fights in 2018.
Although One Championship is currently a lot smaller than its major rival the UFC, which was recently sold for $4 billion, Sityodtong, a former Muay Thai martial artist, is optimistic about One Championship’s growth potential.
“In the next 12 to 15 months, we will be able to pass the $1 billion evaluation mark,” he said. “We will increase our events all across Asia and enter new territories such as Japan and South Korea.”
The Pan-Asia region has a long history of martial arts. Besides Chinese kung fu, there is karate from Japan, Korea’s taekwondo and Thailand’s Muay Thai as well as Russia’s Sambo.
Domestic hopes
One Championship has contracted 70 Chinese athletes, with fans hoping that the roster will one day result in a Chinese world champion. “I’m confident our roster of Chinese fighters will produce a world champion, to represent China on a global stage,” echoed Sityodtong. “But more importantly, I believe these Chinese superstars will serve as inspirations for the Chinese dream, for everyone in the country to work hard, for prosperity and for profoundness.” Many fans have pinned their hopes on Li Kaiwen, a 20-year-old from Central China’s Hunan Province. The featherweight fighter, who defeated Keanu Subba of Malaysia earlier this month in Hefei, East China’s Anhui Province, told the Global Times that he is eager to become the best. “My next plan is to become the Chinese champion,” Li said. “After that I will challenge the world champion.” Li, who holds a record of 5-1 in One Championship bouts, said defeat is not the end of the world. “It’s not a problem,” said the rising star. “Being defeated only means I need to improve. It just means going back to train for a better me.”