One Championship is making its promotional debut in Japan as it announced their first-ever event in Tokyo in March 2019.
“It warms my heart to see just how much respect we have built (in Japan) as martial artists,” One Championship fighter and MMA pioneer Renzo Gracie said about the announcement. “This is what true martial arts is all about. I have been to Tokyo many times and the city never fails to amaze and surprise me. To be able to come full circle and bring martial arts back to Japan, it’s an amazing sight to behold. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this momentous occasion. Japan has played a huge role in the history of martial arts on a global scale, and it’s just right that it returns to glory once again. One Championship and Japan are a perfect fit and I foresee a bright future ahead.”’
Gracie himself competed under the One Championship banner after an eight year retirement, submitting Yuki Kondo in July. That event was held in the Philippines, with the majority of One events taking place in cities like Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Manila.
However in 2019, the promotion can add Tokyo to their growing list of territory expansion. Japanese MMA legend and former ONE FC lightweight champion Shinya Aoki was with Gracie at a press conference Thursday, and echoed the Brazilian’s sentiment:
“Japanese martial arts is something that I hold dear to my heart,” Aoki told reporters on Thursday. “It is so much more than sport and competition. I live by the code of martial arts, and to be able to share that with everyone in the world, it’s an honor. This is the chance for Japanese martial arts to truly shine. Martial arts is my passion and I am grateful for the opportunity to help lead martial arts in Asia into the future. One Championship is a tremendous organization and now that we are going to have our first live event in Tokyo, it will only help highlight the beauty of martial arts in Japan.”
No fights have been announced yet for the card, which will take place March 31, 2019 at a-still unannounced Tokyo venue.