ONE Championship to break into China's untapped MMA market in 2017

ONE Championship will host major events in China and Vietnam as part of its blockbuster schedule in 2017. ONE, Asia's largest sports media property, brought the curtains down on a huge 2016 with their final card of the year in Manila on Friday (2 December).

Next year, the Singapore-based group will embark on their most ambitious year to date, with 18 events planned across eight countries.

That includes five events in China, regarded as an untapped market in the world of MMA. A first trip to Vietnam is also in place for October.

Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship, said: "2016 has been a phenomenal year for ONE Championship. It was absolutely historic for the promotion and 2017 promises to be even better.

"With the addition of key senior leaders to aid ONE with our growth plans, the promotion is in an unbelievable position to make some major waves in the global MMA industry. Together we aim to deliver fans a continuously unique experience that they will never forget."

Speaking to IBTimes UK earlier this year, ONE chairman Chatri Sityodtong explained his vision of having homegrown MMA stars selling out venues all across Asia.

"Asia is the home of martial arts and has been for 5,000 years," Sityodtong said. "There are home-grown martial arts in every single country in Asia. Now, every weekend, I want every Asian to watch their superheroes on television and be rooting for them."