ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong dropped major news over the weekend. Sityodtong announced on Facebook that ONE 165 would happen in Qatar. No official confirmation on a date has been revealed, but the expectation for the lineup is sky-high.
ONE to Debut in Qatar, CEO Chatri Sityodtong Announces
In a follow-up with South China Morning Post, Sityodtong said the event would feature five championship bouts across the company’s four martial arts disciplines: kickboxing, mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, and submission grappling. He also stated the event is slated for the fourth quarter of 2023.
The stacked nature should not come as a surprise. Per the organization, the numbered events are the flagship product of ONE, showcasing the full breadth of martial arts. “Each card is loaded with the world’s most skilled martial artists in MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling. With more than 170 World Champions from recognized organizations on the ONE roster, fans will witness the highest level of competition inside of the Circle in these events,” the company’s website states.
ONE 165 will mark the first numbered event since ONE 164 last December when Jarred Brooks dethroned Joshua Pacio for the ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship. The revelation comes before the organization embarks on an incredible three-week span with three outstanding events, beginning with ONE Friday Fights 34 on Friday, September 22.
With the announcement, it adds yet another premier event to the lineup for the back half of 2023. On Friday, September 29, ONE Fight Night 14 features a loaded lineup headlined by Stamp Fairtex and Ham Seo Hee dueling for the interim ONE Atomweight MMA World Championship. The following week, on Friday, October 6, Superbon Singha Mawynn challenges Tawanchai PK Saenchai for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title in a dream fight.
When ONE 165 gets a set date, it will become the event to watch with high expectations for a massive lineup. ONE is stacking the deck for the final months of the year. Stay tuned with MMASucka.com for breaking news surrounding ONE 165.