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The UFC is far and away the most popular and prestigious mixed martial arts promotion in the world.
But ONE Championship found and CEO Chatri Sityodtong believes that his company is home to the best fighters.
More specifically, Sityodtong believes ONE, which has both kickboxing and Muay Thai in addition to MMA, is home to the world’s best strikers.
Speaking at a media scrum following ONE Fight Night 14 over the weekend, Sidyodtong took direct aim at the caliber of the UFC’s top stars.
“What you see in, let’s say the UFC, is very sloppy, mediocre-ish striking because they’re not strikers. A typical UFC fighter is a D-1 college wrestler, 7-0 in the minor leagues and then they do a little bit of striking then they enter the UFC,” he said (h/t MMA Fighting). “At ONE, all these are world champions before they arrive and they’re already multiple [time] world champions at their peak of their career when they arrive. Anyone from an Anissa Meksen to a [Jonathan] DiBella, a Rodtang [Jitmuangnon], or Tawanchai [P.K. Saenchai], or Superbon [Singha Mawynn] … or any of these legit killers”
Sidyodtong then dove further into his take, explaining that ONE fighters often have a more distinguished background when they enter the promotion.
“That’s what makes us different. If you look at our roster, I think UFC has about 700 athletes and so do we. Around there. But if you look at the number of world championship titles that our athletes have won before they joined ONE, it’s like half the organization,” he stated. “You go to a UFC or a Bellator, it’s like maybe 20, 30 maximum. That’s why you see a lot of sloppy jiu-jitsu, sloppy low-level striking in those organizations whereas in ONE you see the very, very best on the planet in each of their disciplines and of course, MMA as well. I think bar none, we have the most exciting experience for fans all over the world.”
UFC president Dana White has not yet responded to Sityodtong’s claim. But knowing White, it’s hard to imagine he’ll hold basked when asked about the comments.