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MMA: The Thai government has signalled it may begin backing ONE Championship – after founder Chatri Sityodtong expressed sadness at the lack of official support despite the martial arts organisation’s surging popularity and economic impact.

Sunday 22 June 2025 12:00 PM

ONE Championship touts $470mn tourism boost for Thailand

MMA: ONE Championship chief executive Chatri Sityodtong says martial arts promotion does more than organise fighting competitions in Bangkok – it is now a key engine for Thailand’s tourism economy.

Wednesday 21 May 2025 02:48 PM

MMA to make Asian Games debut next year in Japan

MMA: Mixed martial arts (MMA) will make its Asian Games debut next year when Japan hosts the continent’s premier sporting event, organisers said yesterday (Apr 29).

Wednesday 30 April 2025 11:00 AM

Molly McCann announces retirement but her MMA legacy lives on

MMA: Molly “Meatball” McCann announced her retirement from MMA following a submission loss to Alexia Thainaraat at UFC Fight Night at The O2 in London, England on Mar 22.

Sunday 6 April 2025 03:00 PM

UFC legend Oliveira lights up Bang Tao gym

MMA: Former UFC lightweight champion Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira brought his relentless mindset and hunger for success to Thailand in late January, where he attended a two-day event at the Bangtao Muay Thai and MMA gym.

Sunday 9 March 2025 10:00 AM

Zhang Weili: From underdog to history maker

MMA: Zhang Weili, the first-ever Chinese UFC world champion, proved once again why she’s among the sport’s elite fighters by successfully retaining her strawweight title in the co-main event of UFC 312 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia on Feb 9.

Saturday 22 February 2025 12:00 PM

UFC legend Anderson Silva visits Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA Gym

MMA: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) legend Anderson “The Spider” Silva, one of the greatest strikers in MMA history, recently visited Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA gym in Phuket for a two-day event that left a lasting impression on fighters and fans alike.

Sunday 29 December 2024 12:15 PM

UFC makes a thrilling return to Macau

MMA: Macau welcomed the highly anticipated return of UFC to its shores last Saturday (Nov 23) after over a decade-long hiatus and it did not disappoint.

Saturday 30 November 2024 12:38 PM

Rodtang eyes Takeru showdown despite losing title after missing weight

MMA: Rodtang Jitmuangnon is planning a showdown with Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru Segawa despite losing his ONE Championship flyweight Muay Thai title on the scale after missing weight for ONE 269.

Wednesday 13 November 2024 09:00 AM

Please don’t go, Dojo...

MMA: The Dojo at Blue Tree in Cherng Talay has become one of the more recognised sporting establishments in Phuket in recent years, with lead instructor Alexis Plantard tirelessly building a facility that has become an integral part of the local community.

Sunday 3 November 2024 09:00 AM

Panpayak set for ONE Championship return

MMA: Panpayak Jitmuangnon is set for a quick turnaround on ONE Championship’s quarterly “tentpole” Lumpinee event in December, after his successful comeback from two years out last Friday (Oct 18).

Tuesday 22 October 2024 10:08 AM

Russell Crowe film will ‘bring Thailand and Muay Thai to the world stage’

MMA: ONE Championship boss Chatri Sityodtong says upcoming Hollywood film “The Beast In Me” starring Russell Crowe will be a “dream come true for Thailand”.

Saturday 5 October 2024 03:00 PM

Muay Thai students complete certificate training

MUAY THAI: The first official theory training programme for Thais wishing to teach and coach Muay Thai as part of Thailand’s soft power tourism drive was launched in Phuket on Wednesday (Sept 11).

Friday 13 September 2024 09:00 AM

Phuket's Dojo team scale the heights in Bhutan

MARTIAL ARTS: The school summer holidays are traditionally a time to kick back, relax and take a time out. However, this summer has been anything but a rest period for the students at The Dojo at Blue Tree in Phuket as they continue to fly the flag in national and international competition.

Sunday 25 August 2024 09:26 AM

Prajanchai becomes two-sport ONE world champ

MMA: ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion Prajanchai PK Saenchai completed his bid to become a two-sport champion after toppling former champ Jonathan Di Bella for the vacant ONE strawweight kickboxing world title yesterday (June 28).

Saturday 29 June 2024 03:41 PM

Phuket Dojo continues its remarkable ascent

MMA: The wonder team from Dojo at Blue Tree Phuket have been at it once again, wowing fans and storming opponents at tournaments from Paris to Phang Nga, and New Zealand to Georgia.

Saturday 29 June 2024 09:00 AM

Tawanchai retains ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World title

MMA: ONE Championship electrified the sold-out Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, with ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II on Friday night (June 7).

Sunday 9 June 2024 02:00 PM

Young Cambodians fight to preserve ancient martial art

MARTIAL ARTS: In a small Cambodian town near the banks of the Mekong River, law student Oeun Bunthav tenses his slender torso and steels himself for an elbow strike to his head.

Sunday 2 June 2024 09:00 AM

Team Dojo tackle two events at once in style