“Philippines versus the world” - ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong promises explosive return to Manila

It’s been more than two years since Manila played host to ONE Championship, and the organization’s CEO Chatri Sityodtong promises that their return to the city will be a fitting closer to the year.

ONE Championship will stage two events in the Philippine capital, with ONE on Prime Video 5 set for US primetime on December 2 and ONE 164: Pacio vs. Brooks scheduled just a few hours later, with both shows happening at the Mall of Asia Arena.

In an interview with CNN Sports Desk, Sityodtong said that the country’s fight fans will be in for a treat, especially with ONE 164’s bevy of Philippine talent. Team Lakay’s Joshua Pacio will defend the ONE strawweight world title against Jarred Brooks in the main event of ONE 164, while former ONE heavyweight world champion Brandon Vera’s return to the circle against Amir Aliakbari is also on the card.

Chatri Sityodtong said ONE 164 will have an overarching theme of “Philippines versus the world” in what could be a spectacular night of martial arts:

“You know, I'm so fired up. We haven't been to the Philippines in a few years due to COVID. And we've come back with a spectacular card. Essentially, the theme is the Philippines versus the world.”

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ONE Championship to feature at least five Filipino fighters in return to Manila

Joshua Pacio and Brandon Vera aren’t the only Filipino fighters who are going to be in action for ONE Championship’s double-header in Manila.

Former ONE flyweight world champion Geje Eustaquio is set to take on Hu Yong in a flyweight MMA bout, while bantamweight MMA contender Jeremy Pacatiw faces Burmese hero Aung La N Sang’s protege, Tial Thang. Jenelyn Olsim is also expected to compete with Vera and her Team Lakay brothers on ONE 164, going up against Meng Bo in a women’s strawweight MMA match.

The last ONE Championship card in Manila was ONE: Fire and Fury. It saw Pacio successfully defending the strawweight gold against Alex Silva in January 2020.

Both ONE on Prime Video 5 and ONE 164 are shaping up to be exciting cards as they are, but with still a few more weeks to go before December 2, more fights could still be added soon. With a stacked roster across multiple martial arts disciplines, it’s not impossible to see more big names in the final lineup of fights, including more Filipino stars.