Chatri Sityodtong, ONE Championship
Chatri Sityodtong (center) answers questions from the media following the announcement of ONE Lumpinee. Chatri Sityodtong/Facebook

KEY POINTS

  • ONE Championship announced a new weekly live show based in Thailand
  • ONE Lumpinee is expected to help grow the combat sports scene in the country
  • ONE Lumpinee will have the highest fight purses within Thailand

ONE Championship has remained devoted to developing the combat sports scene in Southeast Asia since it held its first event back in September 2011, and the promotion is planning to do so after announcing ONE Lumpinee.

In partnership with the Royal Thai Army, the Singapore-based organization's new live weekly show is set to showcase the very best of Thailand's Muay Thai practitioners with a minimum of 52 local live events happening in the country starting this 2023.

"ONE Lumpinee will be a landmark partnership between ONE Championship and the Royal Thai Army that will unite and ignite the Muay Thai ecosystem in Thailand like never before," promotion CEO and chairman Chatri Sityodtong stated about the joint venture.

Chatri announced via his official Facebook page that ONE Lumpinee will be broadcasted to 154 countries at the country's iconic Lumpinee Stadium, which has been the staging ground for many of Thailand's best fighters in Muay Thai.

ONE Lumpinee, he later added, will officially be kicking off in January 2023 every Friday night.

"Mr. Chatri, who has achieved great success in this business, will work with us in the dissemination of Muay Thai, our national combat sport, and all martial arts all over the world," said General Suchart Dangprapai, director of the Royal Thai Army Sports Center.

According to Chatri, ONE Lumpinee is also set to have the highest fight purses within the country as the outfit hopes to continue fostering the dreams of Muay Thai competitors.

ONE Championship has a long list of remarkable fighters and champions coming from the land-locked nation with names such as Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Superbon Singha Mawynn, Capitan Petchyindee and Stamp Fairtex leading the way.

Developing Thailand's combat sports scene is a great gesture from the organization since ONE Lumpinee would give some much-needed exposure to locals who could potentially burst onto the international scene thanks to the new program.

The Asian combat sports market always has room for the next generation of stars as they all march forward towards becoming the standard-bearers of the region in the future.

ONE Championship, ONE Lumpinee
ONE Championship announced that Thailand will be having its own weekly live show called ONE Lumpinee as the promotion hopes to continue developing the country's combat sports scene. ONE Championship