ONE Championship: Chatri hits back at K-1 with Takeru jibe – ‘I don’t pay any attention to them at all’
- ONE boss continues his war of words with Japanese kickboxing promotion, saying ‘it has been on the decline for 30 years’
- ‘I’ll just tell you all the best K-1 fighters want to join ONE and their biggest star joined ONE, Takeru,’ Chatri Sityodtong says
ONE Championship boss Chatri Sityodtong continued his war of words with K-1, taking another swipe at the Japanese kickboxing promotion on Saturday in Singapore.
Chatri caused a stir late last month by shooting down the possibility of co-promoting an event with K-1, saying “it’s a tiny organisation and the level is very low”.
His comments were criticised by K-1 producer Carlos Kikuta, who hinted ONE may now struggle to put on shows in Japan, where it has not been since two Tokyo cards in 2019.
“In Japan, not only in the martial arts market, but also in other markets, sensitive and detailed marketing work is important. Foreign promoters who do not understand this will not be able to continue to operate their shows. Continuity is power,” Kikuta said.
At a ONE Fight Night 14 post event media scrum, Chatri responded to K-1’s riposte when asked by the Post.
“I meant to say, of course, that K-1 was a powerhouse in the world of striking 30 or 25 years ago,” Chatri told a media scrum after ONE Fight Night 14 in Singapore.
“I’m saying today the viewership is literally 2 per cent of ONE Championship’s, and those are facts. It’s no disrespect, and I genuinely believe we have a higher level roster.
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“Could I have phrased it better? It was in the heat of the moment, I mean no disrespect to K-1. I’m just stating facts that K-1 is predominantly Japan-only, and has been on the decline for the last 30 years.
“Even if you go through their YouTube page it’s 50,000 [subscribers], and our YouTube page is 8 million. Our Facebook is 40 million, theirs I don’t think 100,000.
“I’m just staying facts but I did not see whoever responded. I don’t pay any attention to them at all. I’ll just tell you all the best K-1 fighters want to join ONE and their biggest star joined ONE, Takeru [Segawa].”
Takeru has yet to make his debut in the Singapore-based martial arts promotion since signing in April, with his first fight believed to be targeted for a return to Japan in early 2024.
Chatri said the former three-weight K-1 champion would be “fighting imminently” when asked backstage at Singapore Indoor Stadium by the Post.
“I’m going to make an announcement in the next few weeks. We have a few big events planned, big stadium events outside of Thailand and Singapore.”
He also confirmed ONE 165 in Qatar – which will mark the return to the promotion of numbered events – would take place in December.
“There is a date,” Chatri said. “But I just can’t announce it, because we’re coordinating with the government of Qatar. December, I’ll just tell you that, and it will be the biggest card this year for us.”
Chatri has already promised five title fights “across all disciplines” in Qatar, and told the Post he is looking to book a blockbuster rematch between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmookao for the ONE flyweight Muay Thai title.
