ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong is the first to admit he’s not completely satisfied with the US television ratings for the first three ONE on TNT events. However, he also wants to make it clear the promotions quartet of events is just a primetime introduction to American audiences. Nevertheless, while not content he did claim the organization’s early US returns have been better than those of competitor, and US mixed martial arts staple, Bellator.
“It’s just the very beginning. The introduction [to US audiences]. I’m definitely not satisfied at all, by any means in terms of these numbers. It’s a reasonable start, but everything we do, we try to be the very best. I’m glad our ratings are already stronger than Bellator’s,” Sityodtong told MixedMartialArts during his ONE on TNT virtual press conference. “Which is obviously, the number-two player in the US. But again, it’s still early days. I have full faith that our unique brand [and] product is something that’s going to resonate. Because it’s the polar opposite of what you have in the UFC. It’s something fresh, something new that fans can enjoy.”
Facts and fictions in ONE on TNT vs. Bellator
When comparing ONE Championship’s ratings to Bellator’s debut on Showtime, the promotional boss speaks truth. However, a key bit of information left out is Showtime is not a part of regular cable, satellite, or streaming packages. It’s a subscription service on top of folks’ regular television bills. ONE Championship’s ratings are actually in line with numbers Bellator pulled last year on Paramount and CBS Sports. While not a triumphant victory over Bellator in reality, doing numbers similar to an established MMA brand like Bellator while being something new to many fans is actually something to be proud of. Even after fact-checking statements.
As of now, the only official future dates on the organization’s calendar is their “Empower” event on May 28. However, the ONE boss confirmed new events before then are possible, and it’s a fluid situation as they try to get over the hump that was the major undertaking of four straight weeks of events on TNT.
“Of course, there will be more events. And we expect momentum in the US, but we’re in discussions right now, and I can’t announce anything yet,” Sityodtong said.
Along with talking the promotions run on TNT, Sityodtong also gave his thoughts on several other notable ONE Championship related topics.
Nsang suggested De Ridder as short-notice replacement
Late last week, it was announced that Vitaly Bigdash, one half of the ONE on TNT IV main event, was out of his light heavyweight title fight against Aung La Nsang after testing positive for COVID-19. In a surprise move, the promotion replaced the Russian title challenger with current middleweight champion Reinier De Ridder. “The Dutch Knight” just beat Nsang for his new middleweight belt in October. The rematch booking being so soon, and for Nsang’s other title, caught many off guard. However, Sityodtong explained that the matchup was actually a suggestion by “The Burmese Python.”
“Aung La is willing to fight anybody, anytime, anywhere. That’s who he is. We told him Vitaly had tested positive for COVID, he’s like, ‘I’m flying to Singapore. I want to fight [and] I’ll fight anybody.’ And he was the one [who said], ‘I’ll even fight Reinier.’” said Sityodtong. “And then we turned around and asked Reinier if he wanted to fight at light heavyweight and he said yes right away. It’s one of these things where two world champions are coming together, extremely game, [and] unafraid of anyone. I think this fights going to be something fans are going to be super delighted with.”
Overturning Alvarez DQ was a unique situation
In March of 2019, former bantamweight champion Kevin Belingon was disqualified in a title fight against Bibiano Fernandes for illegal elbows to the back of the head. However, his loss remains on his resume, while Eddie Alvarez’s recently had his ONE on TNT I disqualification defeat overturned. The ONE Championship boss explained that the promotions review panel unanimously saw the Alvarez incident as a situation worth changing.
“For every DQ or controversial situation the panel does an independent review, and it has to be a majority decision for something to be overturned. And in this case with Eddie’s situation, yes, there was clearly three to five illegal blows to the back of the head. That was the unanimous opinion of the panel, but at the same time, the referee missed one of the key [stipulations] of issuing a warning, a yellow card, and a stand-up. Instead of going straight to the red card. It’s a little bit of a different situation.”
No new title bout news, but ONE on TNT could decide a lightweight contender
Sityodtong was asked by the media what could be next for reigning flyweight champion Adriano Moraes, after beating Demetrious Johnson at ONE on TNT I. As well as if a bantamweight title fight between Fernandes and UFC import John Lineker was being negotiated. Unfortunately, there was no update on future fights for any of the big winners from the first three TNT events. The whirlwind last few weeks of events, including constant card changes due to COVID positives, has precluded the booking team from meeting and plotting out future championship matchups.
“We haven’t had time to discuss all of that. We’ve been very focused on the back-to-back cards. We’ve had just a lot of COVID bout replacements that we’ve had to deal with. And obviously, getting everything right for our US broadcasts. A lot of changes, so we just haven’t had time to let the dust settle and discuss what’s next in terms of all the different winners of the last couple weeks.”
However, the situation for dominant lightweight champion Christian Lee seems a bit clearer. Sityodtong suggested Alvarez and Shinya Aoki, both of whom compete on Wednesday night, could be in line for title fights with impressive performances on TNT. First, his thoughts on Alvarez.
“I think it all depends on how Eddie performs. If he doesn’t perform well, I don’t think he is ready for a title shot,” Sityodtong says. “If he performs really well it’s up for consideration. Because Christian Lee has beaten, I think, the top four ranked lightweights already. So there is a strong possibility if Eddie puts on an incredible performance he’s next in line for a title shot. He’s definitely one or two fights away from a title shot.”
Although former lightweight champion Aoki has an equal opportunity to score a championship rematch with Lee on April 28, the ONE Championship CEO seemed far more interested in a trilogy fight between the Japanese star and Alvarez. The pair fought first in 2008, a submission win for Aoki. Then four years later, which “The Underground King” won by technical knockout.
“That’s also a possibility [Aoki versus Lee],” Sityodtong said. I really want to do Eddie Alvarez versus Shinya three. We were actually trying to make that fight happen on ONE on TNT IV. But it just didn’t happen.”
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