A Period of Transition
ONE Championship, once seen as a serious contender to challenge the global dominance of the UFC, appears to be navigating a complex internal shift. Recent months have highlighted a cooling trend for mixed martial arts within the organization, leading to significant roster changes and departures of high-profile talent.
In March, the promotion released 11 fighters, including notable names such as former strawweight champion Xiong JingNan, Adriano Moraes, and Zebaztian Kadestam. This wave of cuts also saw the complete dissolution of the women's strawweight division, signaling a marked change in organizational priorities.
The Issue of Inactivity
For many athletes, the primary frustration has been a lack of competitive opportunities. Former middleweight champion Zebaztian Kadestam, who had been with the organization since 2017, noted that his career trajectory stalled in recent years. «It was basically the inactivity. I'd been with them for a long time, but in the last three years, I barely fought,» Kadestam remarked. Despite a high-profile knockout win in 2023, he struggled to secure regular matchups, ultimately leading to his departure.
This sentiment is echoed by others, including former two-division champion Reinier de Ridder. Since moving to the UFC, de Ridder has maintained a significantly higher pace of activity, competing six times in a duration that nearly mirrors his entire five-year tenure at ONE. He has been vocal about his concerns, suggesting that the organization's current decision-making processes often hinder the careers of its athletes.
A Strategic Pivot Toward Striking
While MMA has seen reduced focus, the promotion has found significant success in its striking-based disciplines. Adriano Moraes, reflecting on the state of the organization, noted a clear divergence in focus: «If you are a Muay Thai fighter, if you are a kickboxer, please go to ONE Championship. They have the best platform ever right now. But if you are a mixed martial artist, I think you have to check out other opportunities.»
Data supports this observation, with MMA title bouts becoming increasingly rare compared to the promotion's frequent events featuring kickboxing and Muay Thai, many of which have been anchored at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok. According to Moraes, the move toward a Thailand-centric event model is likely tied to strong local government support.
Contractual Complexities and Legal Challenges
Behind the scenes, the environment has become increasingly litigious. The promotion recently engaged in legal action against its own homegrown superstar, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, involving lawsuits across several countries over alleged contract breaches and public statements. Although the matter was eventually resolved with Rodtang agreeing to honor his contract after a public apology, the incident shed light on the complicated nature of athlete agreements within the company, including disputes over signatures and language barriers.
Furthermore, internal shifts have occurred at the executive level, with longtime leaders Rich Franklin and Matt Hume departing the company. These changes, coupled with reports from anonymous fighters regarding restrictive "matching clauses" that prevent them from moving to other organizations despite a lack of provided fights, paint a picture of an organization in deep transition.
As it stands, the MMA landscape within ONE Championship remains in a state of uncertainty, leaving both athletes and industry observers to question the promotion's long-term commitment to the sport that once fueled its global expansion.