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ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong knows how to get the fans excited, and that's by giving them what they want to see.
Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek is one of the most acclaimed fighters in the sport and is yet to compete under the ONE banner. Sityodtong, however, recently posted a photo alongside Buakaw to get the fans excited at the prospect of seeing him compete inside the circle.
The post simply read, “Stay Tuned!” That was going to build excitement and anticipation at the very thought of Buakaw Banchamek making his way over to ONE Championship at some point in the near future.
The South China Morning Post shared the photo alongside the caption:
“You have our attention, @yodchatri! 👀 What could the ONE boss and @buakaw1 be working on?”
Buakaw’s list of accomplishments in Muay Thai speaks for itself. The 40-year-old has an extensive portfolio that makes him considered by many as one of the best competitors Thailand has ever produced and that’s very high praise.
Several fans commented below the post, suggesting what they hope to see if Buakaw announces he will be competing inside the circle:
@limktg_7132:
“Buakaw next participant in the Open weight Muay Thai GP! 🇹🇭🔥”
@silenthyde:
“A Mixed rules Superfight against Soldic.”
“Input from around the world” - Chatri Sityodtong says ONE is finalizing the Openweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix contestants
Following the photo shared between ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong and Buakaw Banchamek, speculation started around Buakaw’s possible involvement in the upcoming Openweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix.
In the build-up to ONE Fight Night 6, the promotion’s first event of 2023, Sityodtong announced the 16-man, openweight tournament that will take place later this year.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting further announcements of potential matchups and the competitors involved. Not only does the openweight format allow for dream fights fans never thought they would see, but Chatri Sityodtong has also alluded to the idea of looking outside the roster as well.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, he revealed some more details about the upcoming World Grand Prix:
“So we’re obviously getting fan input from around the world…a bunch of athletes have come in from different organizations saying they wanna be part of it. We’re just gonna have to figure that out in the next few weeks so that we can make an announcement by March hopefully, and kick things off.”
Catch the full interview below:
With more announcements hopefully on the horizon for March, fans can expect the tournament to take place within a few months from that date.
The most exciting part of Chatri Sityodtong’s update from the fans' perspective is the inclusion of seeing new fighters compete inside the circle for the very first time.
One such point of speculation came when former GLORY champion Alistair Overeem was seen at ONE Fight Night 6 following rumors that he had reached out and asked to be involved.
