Tag: ‘One

After PFL President Dismisses Pursuing ‘Pain In The Ass’ Muhammad Mokaev, ONE Reportedly Told He’s Re-Signing With UFC

Muhammad Mokaev’s future has been in question ever since his very public release from the mixed martial arts leader after UFC 304. And now, it seems the best potential alternate option for him has its door closed. Or has it? According to Drake Riggs of MMA Mania, ONE Championship and Mokaev have had discussions, but […]

Continue Reading After PFL President Dismisses Pursuing ‘Pain In The Ass’ Muhammad Mokaev, ONE Reportedly Told He’s Re-Signing With UFC at MMA News.

Muhammad Mokaev’s future has been in question ever since his very public release from the mixed martial arts leader after UFC 304. And now, it seems the best potential alternate option for him has its door closed.

Or has it?

According to Drake Riggs of MMA Mania, ONE Championship and Mokaev have had discussions, but the Asian promotion was told that he will be re-signing with the UFC.

It is unknown if Mokaev will actually get re-signed by the UFC, but Mokaev’s social media activity of late seems to indicate he only is seeking an Octagon return return.

Muhammad Mokaev Claims He Is Re-Signing With UFC Following Talks With ONE Championship, PFL Expressing Lack Of Interest

Following the PFL Playoffs card in Nashville on Friday, PFL President Ray Sefo was asked by Brett Cagle at the event’s post-fight press conference about the promotion’s interest in Mokaev. Sefo, however, seemed against the idea.

“I’ve spoken to people in the know and, apparently, he’s just a pain in the ass to deal with,” Sefo said. “And so, no, we’re not interested.”

This came following UFC CEO’s Dana White’s comments at the UFC 304 post-fight press conference, where he stated “the PFL is going to get a great undefeated fighter” as he announced the UFC was not looking to re-sign Mokaev following the conclusion of his contract.

A follow-up claim from Ben Davis stated that Mokaev had attempted to use the PFL as leverage in negotiations, contacting them before the expiration of his UFC contract in Manchester. That claim, however, has since been thrown into question, with Mokaev and his team branding it false.

Mokaev came out on social media in response to Sefo, claiming he was not going to sign with the PFL regardless and suggesting the the organization is trying to get out in front of things.

Mokaev was the source of controversy last week after a number of altercations with UFC 304 opponent Manel Kape. The pair went on to have an underwhelming battle at the event, with “The Punisher” getting a win via decision.

Continue Reading After PFL President Dismisses Pursuing ‘Pain In The Ass’ Muhammad Mokaev, ONE Reportedly Told He’s Re-Signing With UFC at MMA News.

Muay Thai Star Rodtang Jitmuangnon Returns To The US At ONE 169 In Atlanta

A staggering fourth title fight has been added to ONE Championship’s debut in Atlanta and it features one of their biggest stars, Rodtang Jitumuagnon. As the biggest name in Muay Thai today, “The Iron Man” has become a social media sensation because of his always entertaining fighting style. Having featured on ONE Championship’s debut event […]

Continue Reading Muay Thai Star Rodtang Jitmuangnon Returns To The US At ONE 169 In Atlanta at MMA News.

A staggering fourth title fight has been added to ONE Championship’s debut in Atlanta and it features one of their biggest stars, Rodtang Jitumuagnon.

As the biggest name in Muay Thai today, “The Iron Man” has become a social media sensation because of his always entertaining fighting style.

Having featured on ONE Championship’s debut event in the United States last year (ONE Fight Night 10 in Denver), he’s now set to return to the US in November as reported by Sports Illustrated.

The ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion will be putting his belt on the line in a rematch with England’s Jacob Smith at the State Farm Arena on November 8.

They last met back in May of 2022 where Rodtang secured a unanimous decision win to advance in the flyweight Muay Thai Grand Prix.

The Thai star returned to action in June where he went three rounds with Denis Puric in a kickboxing bout that delivered one of the best fights of the year so far in ONE Championship.

He last defended his world championship back in November of 2022 where he convincingly beat strawweight champion Joseph Lasiri over five rounds.

This now makes for a total of four world championship fights for Atlanta, two in MMA and two in Muay Thai.

Three-division champion Anatoly Malykhin will be defending his heavyweight title against Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane in the main event whilst two-weight king Christian Lee makes his long-awaited return to defend his lightweight crown against Alibeg Rasulov.

The other title fight sees Tawanchai defend his ONE featherweight Muay Thai world championship against Jo Nattawut in a trilogy fight between the two Thai strikers.

November 8 has also been rumoured to feature a boxing match between former UFC rivals Rashad Evans and ‘Rampage’ Jackson.

Read also: Former ONE Championship Strawweight King Jarred Brooks Names Jon Jones As The Perfect Fighter

Continue Reading Muay Thai Star Rodtang Jitmuangnon Returns To The US At ONE 169 In Atlanta at MMA News.

Former Two-Division Champion Reinier de Ridder Parts Ways With ONE Championship, Set To Debut For New Promotion On July 27

Reinier de Ridder, one of ONE Championship’s top MMA stars, has left the Asian martial arts organization and will soon debut elsewhere. After title glory in regional promotions 360 and Hit-FC, de Ridder arrived in ONE Championship five and a half years ago, making a splash on debut by submitting Fan Rong via brabo choke […]

Continue Reading Former Two-Division Champion Reinier de Ridder Parts Ways With ONE Championship, Set To Debut For New Promotion On July 27 at MMA News.

Reinier de Ridder, one of ONE Championship’s top MMA stars, has left the Asian martial arts organization and will soon debut elsewhere.

After title glory in regional promotions 360 and Hit-FC, de Ridder arrived in ONE Championship five and a half years ago, making a splash on debut by submitting Fan Rong via brabo choke in just 75 seconds.

The Dutchman went on to win his next six fights, collecting both the middleweight (205 pounds) and light heavyweight (225 pounds) belts along the way, and defending the former twice with submission wins over Kiamrian Abbasov and Vitaly Bigdash.

Image: ONE Championship

De Ridder went on to lose both titles to the same man, however, with Anatoly Malykhin first wresting the light heavyweight strap from his possession with a violent knockout at ONE on Prime Video 5 in December 2022.

“The Dutch Knight” returned 15 months later, this time in defense of his middleweight gold. Malykhin successfully won the belt to secure a history-making third crowning, adding that title to his heavyweight and light heavyweight championships at ONE 166 in Qatar this past March.

That turned out to be de Ridder’s final outing in the Circle, with the 33-year-old exiting off the back of that two-fight losing skid.

De Ridder Set For UAE Warriors Debut Post-ONE Exit

The Dutch fighter will have the chance to return to winning ways soon after his confirmed departure from ONE, with the 33-year-old set to debut under a new promotional banner this month.

Per MMA Fighting, De Ridder has signed with UAE Warriors and will debut at an event in Abu Dhabi next Saturday, July 27. He’s set to share the cage with Magomedmurad Khasaev in a light heavyweight bout.

News of de Ridder’s venture away from ONE quickly saw fans ponder a future move to either the UFC or PFL. The latter promotion has already capitalized on the apparent move away from MMA focus in ONE by signing the highly regarded Murad Ramazanov.

ONE will, however, stage mixed martial arts action in the United States this year, first with ONE 168 in Denver this September.

Two months later, de Ridder’s two time opponent Malykhin will headline ONE 169 in Atlanta, defending his heavyweight title against Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane.

Continue Reading Former Two-Division Champion Reinier de Ridder Parts Ways With ONE Championship, Set To Debut For New Promotion On July 27 at MMA News.

Christian Lee Set To Defend Lightweight Title At ONE 169: Atlanta After Two-Year Hiatus

ONE lightweight and welterweight world champion Christian Lee is set to make his long-awaited return at ONE 169 on November 8 in Atlanta. He will be defending his lightweight title against the undefeated Alibeg Rasulov at the State Farm Arena in ONE Championship’s second US event of the year. Lee has been out of action […]

Continue Reading Christian Lee Set To Defend Lightweight Title At ONE 169: Atlanta After Two-Year Hiatus at MMA News.

ONE lightweight and welterweight world champion Christian Lee is set to make his long-awaited return at ONE 169 on November 8 in Atlanta.

He will be defending his lightweight title against the undefeated Alibeg Rasulov at the State Farm Arena in ONE Championship’s second US event of the year.

Lee has been out of action since winning the welterweight title at ONE on Prime Video 4 in November of 2022.

At the end of that year, tragedy struck the Lee family as Christian’s younger sister and former ONE Championship athlete, Victoria, took her own life. This led to her siblings, Christian and Angela, to take a break from the spotlight.

Christian’s elder sister Angela has since vacated her atomweight title and retired from MMA whilst his younger brother Adrian became the first of the Lee family to compete after Victoria’s passing, when he made his pro debut at ONE 167 in June.

Christian’s upcoming opponent, Turkey’s Rasulov, made his debut in ONE this past weekend at ONE Fight Night 23 where he won a unanimous decision after going five rounds with former champion Ok Rae Yoon.

Despite the interim lightweight title being on the line in this fight, Rasulov was unable to win the belt after he made weight but failed his hydration test.

The lightweight title fight joins two other previously announced world championship clashes on the card for November 8 in Atlanta.

In the main event, ONE three-weight world champion Anatoly Malykhin will defend his heavyweight title against Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane.

ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion Tawanchai will also be in action when he faces Jo Nattawut in a trilogy fight following their closely contested clash at ONE 167.

Read also: ONE Championship Three-Division Champion Anatoly Malykhin Reacts To Being Called ‘Most Dangerous’ By Islam Makhachev, Says No ‘Escape’ For Francis Ngannou

Continue Reading Christian Lee Set To Defend Lightweight Title At ONE 169: Atlanta After Two-Year Hiatus at MMA News.

ONE’s Mikey Musumeci Stripped of Title After Failing Five Day, 35-Pound Weight Cut

ONE Championship flyweight submission grappling titleholder Mikey Musumeci recently became embroiled in controversy after being stripped of his belt for missing weight ahead of his upcoming bout. Musumeci was originally set to challenge lightweight gr…

Mikey Musumeci stripped of his ONE Championship title after missing weight

ONE Championship flyweight submission grappling titleholder Mikey Musumeci recently became embroiled in controversy after being stripped of his belt for missing weight ahead of his upcoming bout. Musumeci was originally set to challenge lightweight grappling champion Kade Ruotolo in the co-main event of ONE 168: Denver on Friday night. However, in a dramatic twist during […]

Continue Reading ONE’s Mikey Musumeci Stripped of Title After Failing Five Day, 35-Pound Weight Cut at MMA News.

Report | Demetrious Johnson Set To Rematch Adriano Moraes For ONE Flyweight Title On August 26.

Demetrious JohnsonOff the back of his second round special rules submission win over striking sensation, Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE Championship X in March, former UFC flyweight champion and ONE Championship Grand Prix victor, Demetrious Johnson will land a rematch against current division titleholder, Adriano Moraes at an August 26. event.  Demetrious Johnson, who featured against Moraes […]

Demetrious Johnson

Off the back of his second round special rules submission win over striking sensation, Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE Championship X in March, former UFC flyweight champion and ONE Championship Grand Prix victor, Demetrious Johnson will land a rematch against current division titleholder, Adriano Moraes at an August 26. event. 

Demetrious Johnson, who featured against Moraes in the main event of ONE on TNT 1 back in April of last year, unsuccessfully attempted to pry the flyweight crown from the Brazilian suffering the first loss of his tenure with the organization, courtesy of a second round knee knockout loss. The KO stoppage came as the first time Johnson had been finished in professional mixed martial arts.

Demetrious Johnson previously landed the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix victory

For Moraes, the Brasilia standout managed to further cement his dominance at flyweight following his knockout win over Johnson, submitting common-foe, Yuya Wakamatsu with a third round guillotine win at ONE X in March of this year. Moraes currently boasts a 20-3 professional record. 

Ariel Helwani was first to report the news of Johnson’s title rematch against Moraes on his official Substack page, noting how the pairing is expected to be officially confirmed by the promotion at their upcoming ONE Championship 158 event. The August event will come as ONE Championship’s first on Amazon Prime Video. 

Before his loss to Moraes, Demetrious Johnson, who holds the most consecutive successful title defenses in the history of the UFC with a whopping 11 straight title knockbacks, had enjoyed a run of three consecutive wins since his move to the Chatri Sityodtong-led banner. 

Debuting with a guillotine win of his own against the aforenoted, Wakamatsu – Johnson would then land a pair of unanimous decision successes against both Tatsumitsu Wada, and then Danny Kingad – the most recent of which landed him the ONE Championship Flyweight Grand Prix spoils. 

A three-time ONE Championship flyweight champion, Moraes holds 10 separate submission wins to go with a further four knockout wins. Amongst his winning résumé – the 33-year-old has defeated Kairat Akhmetov, common-foe, Danny Kingad, and avenged a split decision loss to Geje Eustaquio.