ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong recently described the ONE 166: Qatar event, which took place at the Lusail Sports Arena on March 1, as a huge success. The event, considered the biggest combat sports event in the history of the Middle East and North Africa region, garnered exceptional viewership numbers globally across linear TV and social/digital platforms. The event featured Russian fighter Anatoly Malykhin making MMA history by winning world titles in three different weight classes, along with Chinese superstar Tang Kai and Filipino sensation Joshua Pacio also claiming world titles in their respective categories.
Sityodtong praised Qatar for exceeding all expectations and emphasized the country’s status as a world-class host for international events as a key factor in the event’s success. The event saw nearly 15,000 enthusiastic martial arts fans in attendance, making it the biggest combat sports show in the MENA region in terms of attendance and viewership numbers. Sityodtong highlighted the support from Qatar and the incredible facilities at the Lusail Arena, which contributed to the event’s success. He expressed his admiration for Qatar as a country, emphasizing the kindness of its people, warm culture, and excellent infrastructure.
The event marked ONE Championship’s first foray into the Middle East region, reflecting the organization’s growing global presence with live broadcasts in over 190 countries and 60 events planned for the year. Sityodtong mentioned future plans for expansion into Europe and North America, signaling a new era for ONE Championship and combat sports. He also highlighted ongoing negotiations to renew a deal with the Qatar Tourism Authority and emphasized the organization’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity by including female fighters in future events.
Sityodtong shared ONE Championship’s unique approach to storytelling, focusing on athletes as real-life superheroes chasing their dreams and overcoming challenges. The organization aims to inspire the world and promote growth in global engagement. With a focus on finding new talent in emerging markets and investing in the fan base, ONE Championship continues to search for rising stars in various disciplines of martial arts. Sityodtong, a former combat sports athlete himself, understands the challenges of entering new regions and the time it takes to crown local world champions.
The Qatar event has elevated ONE Championship to unprecedented heights, showcasing the organization’s commitment to inspiring individuals to dream more, do more, and be more in life. Sityodtong expressed his satisfaction with the event’s success and stated that ONE Championship looks forward to returning to the region in the future. With a vision to build an iconic sports property that inspires the world, ONE Championship continues to focus on storytelling, finding new talent, and expanding its global reach to create an enduring impact in the world of combat sports.
