Chatri Sityodtong plans more big events at Bangkok’s famous Impact Arena: “It's a great way to showcase”
ONE Championship is looking to hold more events at the famous Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. The promotion's Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong said there is nothing definite yet on that front but that plans are afoot to have the arena be part of the organization's calendar of events.
Sityodtong spoke about it during the virtual press conference for ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut, which will be happening on Sept. 27, highlighting that tentpole events from Impact are something they are eyeing to hold more frequently moving forward.
The ONE executive said:
"And I think it's a great way to showcase every quarter to 195 countries, live broadcasts, and ONE Friday Fights Asia primetime as a differentiated product. So that's how we're thinking about things. You know. Nothing is rock solid, in stone. I want to reiterate.
"It's a moving target. It may be two shows, it may be six shows, or it may be monthly shows out of Impact, we're not sure yet. But we do think right now we have planned for a minimum of four, but I would say that's a flexible number still."
Check out what Chatri Sityodtong had to say below:
ONE Championship has been a steady fixture at the Lumpinee Stadium also in Bangkok because of its ONE Friday Fights series. It, however, held an event at the Impact Arena after a while back in June for ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II.
Meanwhile, ONE Friday Fights 81 will take place anew at Lumpinee. It will be headlined by the featherweight Muay Thai clash between Thai superstars Superbon and 'Smokin' Jo Nattawut.
ONE Friday Fights 81 will be available to fans in North America via global pay-per-view through watch.onefc.com.
Chatri Sityodtong touts there are no easy fights under ONE Championship
Regardless of the event venues, Chatri Sityodtong reiterated that there are no easy fights on ONE Championship and that fight fans will have a grand time watching them.
He shared this last year as the promotion was gearing up for another year of events, touting the promotion's level of talent.
Chatri Sityodtong said:
"Everyone knows that ONE Championship, we have the best kickboxers in every division, the very best Muay Thai fighters in every division as well. We have the very best of the best, so there is no easy fight. If you want to fight the best of the best, there's only one place, and it's in ONE."
ONE Championship started as an organization offering MMA-only fare but in recent years has expanded to also include Muay Thai, kickboxing and submission grappling which have been well-received by fans.