History of ONE Championship in Timeline

ONE Championship, founded in 2011 by Chatri Sityodtong and Victor Cui, is a major multinational combat sports promotion. Initially focused on mixed martial arts (MMA), it has expanded to include Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling. The inaugural event occurred in September 2011 in Singapore, and ONE has since hosted over 200 events throughout Asia. In 2022, the parent company, One Group Holdings, moved its legal operations from Singapore to the Cayman Islands.

July 2011: ONE Championship founded

In July 2011, Chatri Sityodtong and Victor Cui founded ONE Championship, a multinational combat sports promotion.

July 2011: Chatri Sityodtong Founds ONE FC

In July 2011, Chatri Sityodtong founded One Fighting Championship (ONE FC).

September 2011: ONE Championship Holds First Event

On September 3, 2011, ONE Championship held its inaugural event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

September 2011: ONE FC: Champion vs. Champion Debuts

On September 3, 2011, ONE FC debuted with ONE FC: Champion vs. Champion, selling out the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

March 2012: First Female MMA Bout

In March 2012, ONE FC held its first female MMA bout.

2012: Partnership with ESPN Star Sports Begins

In 2012, ONE Championship began a 10-year broadcast deal with ESPN Star Sports.

January 2014: Ben Askren's and Adriano Moraes' Fight Purses

In January 2014, Ben Askren revealed he was paid a minimum of US$50,000 per fight plus a US$50,000 win bonus. Adriano Moraes made the same amount in his first fight against Demetrious Johnson. Later, Moraes signed a new contract with increased compensation.

July 2014: "ONE Warrior bonus" Introduced

The "ONE Warrior bonus" was introduced on July 9, 2014 and implemented for the first time at ONE Fighting Championship: War of Dragons on July 11, 2014.

2014: Inaugural Champions Crowned

Between 2012 and 2014, ONE FC crowned inaugural champions in multiple weight divisions including Soo Chul Kim (bantamweight), Kotetsu Boku (lightweight), Honorio Banario (featherweight), Nobutatsu Suzuki (welterweight), Adriano Moraes (flyweight), and Igor Svirid (middleweight).

January 2015: ONE Fighting Championship rebrands to ONE Championship

In January 2015, ONE Fighting Championship rebranded to ONE Championship.

September 2015: Herbert Burns Leaves Evolve MMA

In September 2015, Herbert Burns left Evolve MMA, allegedly leading to a period of being sidelined by ONE Championship, according to Burns' claims.

December 2015: Death of Yang Jian Bing

On December 11, 2015, 21-year-old Chinese fighter Yang Jian Bing died due to dehydration by weight-cutting in the Philippines. He was scheduled to face Geje Eustaquio.

2015: Rebranding and Title Introductions in 2015

In 2015, ONE Championship rebranded and expanded into new disciplines, introducing the strawweight title with Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke as champion, and hosted its first Lethwei bout. Brandon Vera also became the heavyweight champion in 2015.

2016: Banning Soccer Kicks

In 2016, ONE Championship banned soccer kicks to grounded opponents, which were initially permitted under PRIDE-inspired rules, due to reputational concerns.

2016: New Champions Crowned

In 2016, Roger Gracie became the light heavyweight champion and Angela Lee became the women's atomweight champion in ONE Championship.

November 2017: ONE Warrior Series Announced

In November 2017, ONE Championship announced the ONE Warrior Series, headed by Rich Franklin, to find up-and-coming martial artists in Asia and award the winner with a six-figure contract.

2017: Michael Schiavello Departs

In 2017, Michael Schiavello departed as a commentator for ONE Championship.

2017: Partnership with World Lethwei Championship

In 2017, ONE Championship partnered with World Lethwei Championship, agreeing to send athletes to fight in each other's organizations.

February 12, 2018: ONE Super Series Establishment

On February 12, 2018, ONE Championship announced the establishment of the ONE Super Series, featuring kickboxing and Muay Thai bouts.

April 2018: First Muay Thai and Kickboxing Event

In April 2018, ONE: Heroes of Honor in Manila was the first event to feature bouts under Muay Thai and kickboxing rules as part of the ONE Super Series.

2018: Turner Sports Agreement

From 2018 to 2021, ONE Championship had a broadcast agreement with Turner Sports for U.S. coverage on B/R Live/TNT.

2018: Expansion into Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Boxing

In 2018, ONE Championship traded Ben Askren for Demetrious Johnson with the UFC, launched Muay Thai with Sam-A Gaiyanghadao as champion, kickboxing titles with Kai Ting Chuang, and hosted its sole boxing match: Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs. Iran Diaz.

2018: Miesha Tate Joins as Vice President

In 2018, ex-UFC champion Miesha Tate served as vice president for ONE Championship.

January 2019: Partnership with Shooto

In January 2019, ONE Championship partnered with Shooto, offering Shooto champions a contract with ONE Championship.

September 2019: First All ONE Super Series Event

In September 2019, ONE Championship: Immortal Triumph in Ho Chi Minh City was the first ONE event to consist entirely of ONE Super Series contests.

2019: Planned WADA Testing

In 2019, ONE Championship planned to introduce World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standard testing, but did not publicly drug-test its athletes prior to the 2022 partnership with International Doping Tests & Management.

February 2020: Launch of "Infinity" Series

In February 2020, ONE announced the launch of the "Infinity" series, events consisting of at least three championship fights and a minimum of 12 world champions.

February 19, 2020: ONE Warrior Series 10

On February 19, 2020, ONE Warrior Series 10, the most recent edition of the series in its initial format, aired.

2020: ONE Super Series kickboxing bouts use boxing gloves

As of 2020, ONE Super Series kickboxing bouts use boxing gloves.

February 18, 2021: Partnership with Ringside United Fighting (RUF Nation)

On February 18, 2021, ONE Championship partnered with American promotion Ringside United Fighting (RUF Nation). RUF hosted a Road to ONE 16-man heavyweight MMA tournament, with the winner receiving a $100,000 contract to compete in ONE Championship.

2021: Miesha Tate Returns to Fighting

In 2021, Miesha Tate returned to fighting after serving as vice president of ONE Championship since 2018.

2021: ONE Championship Raises $150 Million

In 2021, ONE Championship raised $150 million, reaching a $1.35 billion valuation.

2021: End of Turner Sports Agreement

In 2021, ONE Championship's broadcast agreement with Turner Sports for U.S. coverage on B/R Live/TNT ended.

January 2022: Reintroduction of "ONE Warrior bonus"

In January 2022, ONE Championship reintroduced the "ONE Warrior bonus" of $50,000, awarding a minimum of one and a maximum of five bonuses at each event.

May 2022: Number of fighters in ONE Championship

In May 2022, Chatri Sityodtong stated ONE Championship had 600 fighters in the organization.

May 2022: Changes to Global Submission Grappling Rule Set

Prior to May 2022, ONE Championship submission grappling matches required submissions for victory and would result in draws after 12 minutes. The rule set changed in May 2022 to a single 10-minute round where victories come via submission, verbal tapout, or referee/corner stoppage. Judges decide based on submission attempts, and aggression breaks ties. Yellow cards penalize stalling.

August 2022: Anti-Doping Partnership Announced

In August 2022, ONE Championship announced an anti-doping partnership with International Doping Tests & Management, a subsidiary of Drug Free Sport International, to independently handle fighter testing starting with ONE 160 that month.

September 12, 2022: ONE Warrior Series Returns as Reality TV Show

On September 12, 2022, ONE Warrior Series made a brief return as a reality television show titled ONE Warrior Series: Philippines.

September 2022: Partnership with Royal Thai Army Announced

In September 2022, ONE Championship announced a partnership with the Royal Thai Army to hold at least 52 shows in 2023 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

September 18, 2022: ONE Warrior Series: Philippines Premieres

On September 18, 2022, ONE Warrior Series: Philippines premiered, featuring 16 mixed martial arts fighters competing for a $100,000 contract.

December 2022: De Ridder Loses Light Heavyweight Title

In December 2022, Reinier de Ridder lost the light heavyweight title, marking the beginning of a period of frustration with fight opportunities.

2022: Expansion into Submission Grappling and Relocation to the Cayman Islands

In 2022, ONE Championship relocated to the Cayman Islands, expanded into submission grappling with Mikey Musumeci, and Smilla Sundell became the youngest champion at 17.

2022: Deals with Amazon Prime Video and beIN Sports

In 2022, ONE Championship secured broadcast deals with Amazon Prime Video for U.S./Canada rights (2022–2027) and beIN Sports for MENA expansion.

2022: One Group Holdings changes legal operations

In 2022, One Group Holdings, the parent company of ONE Championship, changed its legal operations from Singapore to the Cayman Islands.

2022: Victor Cui Leaves ONE

In 2022, co-founder Victor Cui left ONE Championship to lead the Edmonton Elks.

January 2023: ONE Friday Fights 1

On January 20, 2023, ONE Friday Fights 1 took place, with Nong-O Gaiyanghadao defending his bantamweight Muay Thai title. The event was the most-watched show in prime time in Thailand.

November 19, 2023: Partnership with Hitman Fight League

On November 19, 2023, ONE Championship partnered with the UK-based Muay Thai promotion Hitman Fight League. Hitman Fight League will host Road to ONE tournaments, with winners receiving a cash prize and the opportunity to compete on ONE Friday Fights.

December 2023: Bibiano Fernandes Urges Fighters to Reconsider Signing

After parting ways with ONE Championship in December 2023, former ONE Bantamweight Champion Bibiano Fernandes urged fighters to think twice about signing with the promotion, citing a lack of fight opportunities.

2023: U.S. Debut and Qatar Agreement

In 2023, ONE Championship debuted in the U.S. with ONE Fight Night 10 and reached an agreement to host events in Qatar.

2023: Deals with Seven Network and Sky Sports

In 2023, ONE Championship secured broadcast deals with Seven Network for Australia via 7plus and Sky Sports for the UK/Ireland.

2023: De Ridder's Frustrations with ONE

Throughout 2023, Reinier de Ridder expressed frustration with ONE Championship due to a lack of fight opportunities, urging other fighters not to sign with the promotion.