Victor Cui – ONE FC CEO and owner
On August 31st, ONE Fighting Championship will head to the Philippines for the first time with the promotions most stacked card.
With fighters such as reigning DREAM champions Shinya Aoki and Bibiano Fernandes, plus a trio of Gracie’s at the event, promotion president Victor Cui can only refer to the card as “sick” and “stacked” for their first foray into the island country.
Speaking to theScore.com, Cui wasn’t able to hold back his excitement concerning the ONE FC: Pride of a Nation card.
“Man, this card is sick,” Cui told theScore.com. “It’s stacked. I’m so excited for this night and on top of that bringing it to Manila at Smart Araneta Coliseum where Muhammed Ali fought ‘Thrilla in Manila.’ This is a historic place where they love their combat sports. Every major event in this country has been at the coliseum where we’re going. You’re talking about 16,000 people in attendance. It’s going to be sold out, guaranteed.”
“For the last 5000 years Asia’s been the home of martial arts,” he said. “Every single country in Asia has at its core a martial art. Kung fu, taekwondo, wushu — those are all Asian based. I just saw this huge opportunity to bring a world-class sport, a sport that was exploding everywhere in the world — as you know MMA is the world’s fastest growing sport — and the timing and the opportunity was right right now for Asia.”
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“Everything ONE FC does is about showcasing the best and most talented fighters,” he said. “We have easily over 90 percent of the top MMA fighters in Asia and they are already signed to exclusive contracts with ONE FC. On top of that we have all of the fighters in all of the gyms as part of the ONE FC network. ONE FC network is a relationship of exclusive partnerships with every major event and promoter in each of the Asian countries and we have exclusive partnerships with all of the top MMA gyms producing the next wave of up and coming talent or have the top Asian fighters already. All of the fighters under exclusive contract with ONE FC or any of our partners are part of the ONE FC network and can fight in ONE FC. If you’re a fighter and signed with ONE FC, you have the chance to compete on any of our ONE FC cards, plus you can fight on any of the events in any of the ONE FC networks.”
ONE FC: Pride of a Nation is scheduled for Aug. 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines. The event will be carried by ESPN Star Sports in Asia and will likely stream part of the event live at OneFC.com.