ONE Announces $1million Openweight Muay Thai Grand Prix

It’s less than two weeks into 2023, and ONE Championship has already announced its biggest tournament of the year. As part of its commitment to showcasing the best Muay Thai fighters in the world, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced this week that the Singapore-based promotion will be hosting a 16-man openweight Muay Thai Grand Prix over the next 12 months, with the winner taking home US$1million.

The news was made public during Wednesday’s ONE Fight Night 6: Superbon vs. Allazov press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, and the ONE founder was not mincing his words about how big the tournament will be.

“I’m announcing the greatest Grand Prix in the history of Muay Thai,” Sityodtong beamed. 

“Sixteen of the best fighters in the world will descend, this year, for US$1 million. The very, very, very best, irrespective of weight class.”

The tournament is still in its infancy, with no names announced, but Sityodtong teased that ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon Singha Mawynn and ONE Flyweight Muay Thai king Rodtang Jitmuangnon could potentially feature.

He also mentioned bantamweight Muay Thai contender and former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty, as well as fellow British standout Liam Harrison as viable entrants.

The tournament is set to get underway with its opening round of eight bouts in March, followed by the quarterfinals in June, the semifinals in September, and the ONE Openweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix Championship Final taking place in December.

A tournament like this has never been seen before, and Sityodtong allayed any concerns about weight limit while outlining what fans can expect to witness.

“You’re going to see big guys against small guys, and it’s going to be huge. I promise you this will blow up the sport all over the world. You’re going to see some really whacky stuff, with the greatest strikers on the planet. Openweight is openweight,” he said.

ONE has big plans for Muay Thai in 2023 – as it looks to revitalise the sport around the world.

Along with the ONE Openweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix, the organisation is set to host 52 weekly events at the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, kicking off on 20th January. 

ONE’s events calendar gets underway this Saturday, January 14, with the striking arts taking centre stage at ONE Fight Night 6.

Superbon defends his crown against Chingiz Allazov in the main event, while Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Daniel Puertas square off for the vacant ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title in the co-main event.

U.K. fans can watch ONE Fight Night 6: Superbon vs. Allazov this Saturday at 1 a.m.https://watch.onefc.com.