ONE Championship had a comparatively successful return to the United States with its Denver, Colorado show, ONE 168, earlier this month (Sept. 6, 2024).
Since the start of 2023, ONE has held nearly all of its events in Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, focusing on the Muay Thai scene. The latter hasn’t changed despite the promotion making a stateside comeback which will be followed by an Atlanta, Georgia show, ONE 169, on Nov. 8, 2024.
ONE 168 reportedly was the most recently lucrative in the ticket revenue department, topping out years 2018 to 2022, according to mixed martial arts (MMA) business insider, John S. Nash. Nash provided specific numbers from Colorado State Athletic Commission (CSAC) below.
Additional ONE news. Gate info for ONE 168 in Denver according to Colorado officials is:
Tickets Sold: 8583
Comp: 1778
Total Gate: $1,280,335
The event goes down as a memorable one for other fight-related moments, like former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight champion and MMA all-time great, Demetrious Johnson, retiring from the sport. The decision meant Johnson, the now-former ONE 135-pound Flyweight champion, vacated that title.
In the evening’s main event, Superlek Kiatmuu9 continued to do what he does best, styling on the now-former Bantamweight Muay Thai champion, Jonathan Haggerty. Superlek needed only 49 seconds with an elbow knockout (watch highlights).
Earlier in the night, former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight contender, John Lineker, added to his highlight reel with another knockout, putting away Asa Ten Pow in round two.