ONE Championship Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio (right) of the Philippines’ Team Lakay in action.
MANILA, Philippines – Fight events staged ONE Championship are now being held behind closed doors in response to the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Chatri Sityodtong, ONE Championship founder, chair and CEO, in a statement, said that the closed-door, audience-free fights became effective last March 13 and would last until the end of May.
ONE Championship broadcasts to over 150 countries.
Emphasizing the health and safety of fighters, coaches, and fans as the company’s top priority, Sityodtong assured the public that they would get nothing less than top-notch entertainment with the new format.
“For the millions of fans at home around the world, the show will go on from the comfort and safety of your living room. ONE Championship will continue to thrill you with the greatest martial artists on the planet and inspire you with their incredible stories,” Sityodtong said.
The closed-door events also fuel ONE Championship’s march to future of sports media.
In addition to streaming exclusive audience-free events, the company has partnered with American reality TV show “The Apprentice” for the future launch of ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’ under license from MGM.
“I am thrilled to announce ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’ as our biggest foray into the non-scripted series genre,” Sityodtong shared.
“This brand new concept brings a completely unique and original dimension to ‘The Apprentice’ with the high-stakes drama of real-life business competitions, coupled with herculean physical challenges, featuring some of Asia’s top CEOs, the world’s greatest martial arts world champions, and A-list celebrities from across the continent.”
With new emerging content channels, growing audience demand for more streamed fights and the media company’s unfettered ability to draw exceptional athletes to their arena, ONE Championship provides the mixed martial arts MMA world with what it needs during these times.
“This virus might be on the attack right now, but I believe in the power of the human spirit. Let’s Go! #WeAreONE”, Sityodtong expressed in a recent Facebook post,
Global broadcast shows behind closed doors are scheduled in Singapore on April 17, April 24, May 1, and May 8.
Arrangements for the Manila leg on May 29 have yet to be determined, based on latest developments.