By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Asian combat sports promotion company ONE Championship will be bringing another treat to aspiring Filipino mixed martial artists (MMA).
In partnership with Globe Philippines, ONE Championship is set to air the ONE Warrior Series Reality Show which will feature 16 local MMA fighters vying for a spot on Asia’s biggest combat sports stage.
The winner will be awarded a ONE Championship fighting contract worth US $100,000 (5,736,450 pesos) and a chance to follow in the footsteps of Team Lakay’s successful fighters.
The launch date of the said program will be on September 18, 2022 and will be aired on the GTV channel hosted by Filipino-American actor Will Devaughn.
The ONE Warrior Series will run for 12 episodes and will feature the struggles and challenges the 16 MMA aspirants will go through in Benguet, Baguio.
The 16 participants will be divided into two groups: Team Joshua Pacio and team Geje Eustaquio, two championship products by the Mark Sangiao-mentored Team Lakay MMA group currently fighting at ONE.
Vying for the ONE Championship contract are Ely Fernandez, Ariel Oliveros, Ralf Francisco, Shiraz Hussain, Christian Paul Laurio, Anacleto Lauron, JM Guntsyon, Raymundo Ortega, Joevincent So, Marvin Malunes, John Mcleary Ornido, Adonis Sevilleno, Genil Francisco, Ariel Lee Lamoaxan, Ernesto Montilla, and Norman Agcopra.
“I think this is the perfect time to launch such a show. Filipinos are known to take pride in their athletes. This is not a sports show. This is more of a reality drama series that can inspire the younger generation to work hard for their dreams,” said Bo Vongsakoun, ONE Championship’s Vice President of Production.
Also present at the press conference were Pia Gonzales from Globe and Kren Yap, ANIMA’s head of creative development.
