The simmering tensions between Japan’s resurgent Ok-1 and Singapore-based ONE Championship have boiled over, with Ok-1 chief Carlos Kikuta taking direct intention at ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong’s administration. In a scathing assertion, Kikuta raised questions on ONE’s monetary practices and its sustainability.
Ok-1 Slams ONE Championship and Chatri Sityodtong
“Let’s be severe,” Kikuta stated in an announcement translated from Japanese relating to ONE Championship and Chatri Sityodtong, “ONE has raised greater than $500 million in whole from GIC, Temasek Holdings, Heliconia Capital, Mission Holdings, Sequoia Capital’s Indian and US funds, and Vulcan Capital, an funding firm owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, amongst others, and raised one other $50 million from the Qatar Funding Authority in October of this yr. In different phrases, it has used up the greater than 750 million yen it has raised up to now and raised one other 60 million yen. So, does ONE have an excellent supervisor or not?”
Kikuta’s remarks come as Ok-1 continues its rebirth beneath his administration, capitalizing on its storied historical past in Japan. In the meantime, ONE Championship has been creating nice high quality occasions in Thailand and Tokyo. The 2 organizations are staring one another down with wins and losses on either side.
ONE Championship vs. Ok-1 World GP
Chatri Sityodtong has positioned itself as Asia’s reply to the UFC however has confronted scrutiny over its funds. The group has raised over half a billion {dollars} in funding capital from high-profile entities, which was what Carlos Kikuta is citing. Varied experiences counsel that ONE has suffered vital losses. Nevertheless, these statements have been largely rejected as false by ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
However, ONE just lately booked the extremely anticipated Takeru Segawa vs. Rodtang Jitmuangnon in Tokyo for March, proper in Ok-1’s yard. This is among the largest fights of the era, the most effective of kickboxing dealing with the most effective of Muay Thai. Moreover, many Ok-1 fighters have left the group to compete in ONE Championship.
Carlos Kikuta
Carlos Kikuta took over as Ok-1 producer in July 2023 and has in depth expertise within the fight sports activities world, together with stints with GLORY the UFC, and Ok-1 in its early 2000s heyday. Ok-1’s technique features a vital worldwide enlargement in 2024. The promotion goals to carry nationwide tournaments in international locations like Brazil, the Netherlands, the USA, and China, culminating in a year-end championship in Tokyo.
The rivalry between these two organizations could sign a broader shift within the fight sports activities panorama. For followers and fighters alike, the stakes have by no means been greater. Each firms are in search of to dominate the placing sports activities market with Japan on the road.
