Fans turn out in record-breaking numbers for ONE: ‘Kingdom of Champions’ face off

ONE Championship previously held pre-fight face offs or weigh ins before all of its shows, but the turnout in Bangkok this afternoon (Weds., May 25, 2016) smashed all previous records with thousands of Thai fans flocking to the Siam Paragon shopping centre to get a glimpse at the fighters.

ONE: "Kingdom Of Champions" is set for the 11,000 capacity Impact Arena on Friday night (May 27, 2016) and will be headlined by a strawweight world title fight between undefeated champions Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke and Yoshitaka Naito.

Their face off below:

The card also features Thai superstars like Yodsanan Sityodtong, Shannon Wiratchai, Pongsiri Mitsatit, and Kritsada Konsrichai. The excitement in Bangkok reached fever pitch on Wednesday night as Thais turned out in unprecedented numbers to witness the face off in one of Bangkok’s most prestigious shopping malls.

Bangkok has a reputation as being the combat sport capital of the world but this is the first time the city has played host to a world class mixed martial arts (MMA) event and two of Thailand’s top bands will also be performing live with Bodyslam and Big Ass both booked to perform at the Impact Arena.

As part of the face off, ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong, who is half Thai and half Japanese, presented a million Baht cheque to the Thai women’s volleyball team who recently returned home after being beaten by Japan in a highly controversial Olympic qualifying match.

Friday night’s fight card is being broadcast live in Thailand by Thai Rath TV and also featured a featherweight title fight between Marat Gafurov and Kazunori Yokota. But for the majority in attendance the main attraction will be the main event and defending strawweight champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke had the following message:

"It has always been my dream to compete at home in front of all of my family and friends, in front of the people of Thailand. I am grateful to ONE Championship for giving me the opportunity to live my dream and honoring me as champion. This fight means so much to me and I promise to give my all inside the cage."

The full fight card below:

MAIN EVENT

ONE Strawweight World Championship bout: Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke (C) VS Yoshitaka Naito

CO-MAIN EVENT

ONE Featherweight World Championship bout: Marat Gafurov (C) VS Kazunori Yokota

MAIN CARD

Catchweight bout: Timofey Nastyukhin VS Rob Lisita

Middleweight bout: Leandro Ataides VS Marcin Prachnio

Lightweight bout: Shannon Wiratchai VS Kyal Linn Aung

Featherweight bout: Christian Lee VS Rocky Batolbatol

UNDERCARD

Catchweight bout: Yodsanan Sityodtong VS Khon Sichan

Strawweight bout: Pongsiri Mitsatit VS Ye Thway Ne

Strawweight bout: Kritsada Konsrichai VS Kev Hemmorlor

ONE: "Kingdom of Champions' is set for Impact Arena in Bangkok this Friday night (local time). It will be broadcast on various networks all over the world and can be purchased for $9.99 USD from www.oneppv.com.

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