News emerged this past Sunday that ‘Buchecha’ Almeida, a former heavyweight contender from the ONE Championship, will be premiering in the UFC ring against Martin Buday. His appearance in UFC, set to take place in Abu Dhabi later in the month, comes soon after another former member of ONE Championship, ex-double champion Reiner de Ridder, who will contend against Robert Whittaker in a prime-time event.
ONE Championship had, for a considerable period, claimed status as an alternative to UFC, housing prominent fighters such as Bibiano Fernandes, Shinya Aoki, and siblings Angela and Christian Lee. In the recent years, however, the promotion shifted its focus towards Muay Thai and kickboxing, leaving its roster of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters, including the champions, less satisfied.
This dissatisfaction was reportedly a significant factor in the exit of de Ridder from ONE Championship. Left unsaid is the advice that de Ridder may have offered to the still rostered athletes: to take a leap of faith and bet on the world’s leading MMA promotion, the UFC. (Worth noting here is ONE Championship’s unique weight class structure, generally 10 lbs. higher than most promotions – except for lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, and light heavyweight, which have larger margins).
ONE current heavyweight champion, Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane, is a standout among the roster, his shocking victory over Anatoly Malykhin to claim the title was one of the biggest upsets in the arena last year. Kane, a mountain of a man at six-feet-tall and 258 pounds, is an exemplary wrestler undefeated in traditional Senegalese wrestling before transitioning to MMA.
From a marketability perspective, Kane presents a tempting proposition for UFC President Dana White. He comes from Africa, a region that UFC has been making efforts to penetrate. Moreover, his victory over Almeida presents an enticing opportunity for a high-profile rematch, given their common paths towards UFC stardom.
Outside UFC, Roberto ‘Robocop’ Soldic has maintained a reputation as a skilled fighter. Wherever he has competed, he has generally ended up with a title to his name. His time in KSW, a Polish promotion, stands out in particular, with Soldic achieving both the welterweight and middleweight champion titles twice.
Despite his undisputed skills and resumé, Soldic’s performance in the ONE Championship thus far has not met expectations. After a debut match that ended in a no contest due to an accidental groin hit, he was defeated in his second appearance. However, Soldic recovered with a decisive win, setting him up for a potential title opportunity.
Another compelling name in ONE Championship roster is history-maker Stamp Fairtex. This fighter uniquely holds the distinction of winning titles in three different styles: MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing. Currently on a medical break due to a knee injury setback, Fairtex was forced to relinquish her atomweight MMA title.
Notwithstanding her injury, Fairtex is an exceptionally versatile fighter. While her striking prowess is a given, her ground skills have also earned her two submission victories. At full fitness, these abilities could propel Fairtex to the higher ranks of the UFC’s intensely competitive divisions.
This isn’t to criticize the abilities of ONE Championship’s MMA fighters. Rather, it indicates a trend where the promotion has seemingly reduced its focus on MMA. In such a scenario, the three combatants named above are the likeliest candidates to consider moving and showcasing their expertise in broader arenas.
The remaining ONE roster does still feature a clutch of quality athletes. However, they don’t quite possess the renown of Kane, Soldic, and Fairtex. Proponents of the sport can only look forward to what could come to pass, is more of these talented individuals transition from ONE Championship to UFC or similar promotions.
The greater visibility and opportunities presented by promotions like UFC could serve as the necessary impetus to entice the transition of these athletes. Circumstances such as this have given rise to some of the most exciting matchups in the sport’s history. Kane, Soldic, and Fairtex, with their exceptional skills and experience, could become popular additions to UFC’s champion-designate list.
For now, though, the MMA community awaits the impact that Almeida’s move to UFC could have on the stature and reputation of ONE Championship fighters. It might just encourage more of them to venture out of the comfort of their familiar surroundings, and test their mettle in the more globally recognized UFC arena.