SUMMARY
- ONE Championship fans can brace themselves for some exciting bit of news.
- ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong announces the return of featherweight kickboxing grand prix.
ONE Championship has announced the return of the prestigious ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix. No dates were mentioned for its start, but the martial arts giant revealed its plans via social media, with a graphic depicting four potential participants in the upcoming tournament.
“The ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix is BACK — bigger and better than ever. Which ONE athlete deserves a shot?” the caption read.
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ONE held its last featherweight grand prix in 2021. The tournament finished in 2022 with Chingiz Allazov taking out the final by unanimous decision over Thai star Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong. Other participants in the bracket were Enriko Kehl, David Kiria, Tayfun Ozcan, Samy Sana, Marat Grigorian, and Andy Souwer.
Which stars could we see in the 2024 featherweight kickboxing world grand prix?
ONE’s announcement of the 2024 Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix has set social media alight, with the names of potential competitors being thrown around by fans across the globe.
Two names have seemingly been confirmed by ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, who dropped the bomb to Sportskeeda MMA.
“It will be eight of the greatest 70-kilogram strikers on the planet. Chingiz [Allazov] and Superbon will be on opposite sides of the bracket – stay tuned,” he said, reportedly adding that the winner will receive the tournament’s silver belt and be declared the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion.
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Current featherweight kickboxing king Allazov appears set to return to competition and defend his place at the top of the division, while interim divisional king Superbon Singha Mawynn featured on the graphic posted by the promotion.
The pair previously faced off in January 2023, with “Chinga” brutally dethroning the Thai superstar via second-round TKO.
Former K-1 Champion Masaaki Noiri also appears in the announcement. The Japanese superstar makes his ONE debut at ONE 167 on Prime Video on June 7 against the third-ranked Sitthichai, who is also thought to be a strong entry into the grand prix.
The others to appear in the graphic are number #2 Marat Grigorian and Italian legend Giorgio Petrosyan, who remains under contract with ONE. ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai, who also holds the fourth spot in the featherweight kickboxing rankings, has also been named among potential candidates.