ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong recently unveiled a series of big fights for the promotion’s upcoming few months. He made these announcements when he recently appeared on an episode of “The MMA Hour.”
The promotion most notably revealed three fights for their “ONE X” event, which has been moved to March 26th. The event was first targeted for December 2021 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A previously discussed mixed rules fight between former UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson and Muay Thai expert Rodtang Jitmuangnon will happen at the event.
The fight will see the fighters compete in three rounds of combat sports, alternating between MMA and Muay Thai rules.
The biggest title fight of the card will see Angela Lee make her return against Stamp Fairtex.
Lee, the promotion’s 115-pound champion, has been out of the cage since 2019 due to maternity leave. The division has remained active in this time, hosting an eight-woman tournament last year to determine who would face her.
Stamp prevailed in this bracket, defeating Alyona Rassohyna, Julie Mezabarba and Ritu Phogat in recent months to be guaranteed the title shot.
Stamp, a fighter whose entire MMA career has been under ONE Championship, will be getting her first MMA title fight in the appearance.
The other title fight on the card will see 135-pound champion Adriano Moraes face Yuya Wakamatsu.
Moraes pulled off a finish win in his last title fight, stopping Johnson in the second round. Trying to extend his third reign as a ONE champion, Moraes will face a rising name in Wakamatsu.
Wakamatsu is currently on a strong five-fight winning streak that he has put together since 2019. His last win was in December, defeating Hu Yong on scorecards.
Fernandes vs. Lineker Set For February Card
A title fight between Bibiano Fernandes and former UFC fighter John Lineker will headline a February 11th ONE Championship card, per the promotion’s CEO.
Fernandes and Lineker were originally set to meet at the first version of “ONE X” in December. They’re now being paired up for the “Bad Blood” card in February.
Lineker has earned some big wins since joining ONE Championship in 2019. He has most notably finished both Kevin Belingon and Troy Worthen with strikes in recent appearances.
Fernandes is competing for the first time after prevailing two-fights-to-one in a rivalry against Kevin Belingon between 2018 and 2019. Fernandes has only lost once since joining ONE Championship in 2013.
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