ONE Championship’s debut on Amazon Prime Video is just around the corner.
ONE on Prime Video 1: Moraes vs. Johnson II will begin the partnership on August 26, but who else should the organization be looking at for future cards?
With mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling, plenty of athletes are ready to step up and take advantage of the opportunity. Which of those stars should be highlighted on the paper and given the first chance?
Here are five names that jump out as Americans to showcase on future Prime Video events.
Sage Northcutt
Sage Northcutt has not been seen since his ONE debut in 2019, but when he makes his return, he should be put under the spotlight and given a chance to shine.
Northcutt could instantly fan the flame that burned so brightly at the outset of his mixed martial arts career with a highlight-reel performance. It is something he is fully capable of doing.
And let’s not forget, he is still only 26 years old. Although he has been away from action for some time, he has still been in the gym, adding to his skill set and developing to become a better martial artist.
Northcutt still has a bright future ahead of him in the sport, and when he returns, he should have the opportunity to show it in front of a massive audience.
Jackie Buntan
Filipina-American Jackie Buntan got off to a hot start in her ONE career before dropping a five-round decision to Smilla Sundell for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Muay Thai Women’s Championship at ONE 156.
But the loss should not take the bloom off the rose. Buntan is still a fast, powerful striker who can put on a show in four-ounce gloves.
Buntan is a perfect representative of ONE and women’s Muay Thai. She can help build bridges to the American audience for the sport and show fans across the country what they have been missing. Her engaging personality will connect with fans who see her on Prime Video.
If she can get back in the win column, she will instantly be knocking on the door of a title shot again. And wouldn’t you love to see that on Prime Video?
Odie Delaney
You would be hard-pressed to find someone more ready for the platform than Odie Delaney.
The heavyweight has joined ONE to use its platform to speak on his mission of faith and mental health. There is no doubt he would embrace Amazon’s giant platform to do the same.
His backstory is compelling, heartbreaking, and, ultimately, redeeming. It is the very thing viewers love. They can get attached to Delaney’s persona before ever watching him compete on an event. And then they’ll become bigger fans.
The NCAA Division-1 All-American wrestler has looked fierce in ONE competition with his dominant grappling. If he can keep that going, he will no doubt earn a spot on a future Prime Video card.
Ruotolo Brothers
Is it a cop-out if you select two people for one spot? What if they are twins?
Well, that’s the Ruotolo Brothers. Dynamic twins in the sport of submission grappling who stole the show when they competed at ONE 157.
They should be able to be showcased on Prime Video for how they can help submission grappling grow in the United States. The ceiling for them and the sport itself is incredibly high. It’s a perfect pairing to marry on the platform.
Their exciting attacking style is what fans love to see on the mats. The internet exploded with Tye’s victory over Garry Tonon, and there is more where that came from. With the sport growing in ONE, having the Ruotolos carrying the banner would be a great choice.
Jarred Brooks
ONE has already done a tremendous job of bringing Jarred Brooks into the fold in their loaded strawweight division, but with the upcoming Prime Video deal, it is a perfect time to light the rocket that has been strapped to his back.
Brooks is highly entertaining inside and outside of the Circle. He even has talent as a rap artist. The brash American is clearly one of the most marketable U.S. athletes on the roster, which should make him the easiest choice to be showcased.
And as the top-ranked strawweight contender, what better way to showcase him than in a high-profile title tilt with Joshua Pacio?
The budding rivalry is already there, and Pacio himself would benefit from jumping onto the Prime Video stage. The matchup itself is one of the most tantalizing of 2022. Brooks is the clear-cut choice in this scenario to step onto Amazon’s massive streaming platform.
