One Championship: Chatri hails John Lineker signing – but aims apparent jab at Conor McGregor

‘We’re not looking for punks, people who are good at fighting but are terrible human beings, and we know who I’m talking about,’ says One CEO

Chatri says One is pursuing more current and potential free agents after snapping up John Lineker following sudden UFC split

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Chatri Sityodtong talks in a media scrum after the One Championship press conference in Manila. Photos: One Championship

Published: 3:57pm, 31 Jul 2019Updated: 3:57pm, 31 Jul 2019

Sitting on the stage in front of hundreds of media and fans at Tuesday’s One Championship press conference in Manila, Eddie Alvarez and Demetrious Johnson represented some of the best of the west in martial arts.

They will soon be joined by another MMA fan favourite in John Lineker, who was snapped up after his sudden and acrimonious split with the UFC last month.

“No, I wasn’t surprised John Lineker chose One Championship almost instantly,” One CEO Chatri Sityodtong said in response to the Post’s question. “And I can tell you from the discussion pipeline of potential free agents and current free agents in the market that One will be very aggressive.”

Just don’t expect to see Conor McGregor in a One ring. “We’re not looking for punks, people who are good at fighting but are terrible human beings, and we know who I’m talking about,” Chatri added, to some laughter in the crowd.

Chatri has previously said the outspoken UFC superstar has “zero chance” of fighting for One – even for US$1. Lineker joins a growing group of former UFC fighters in One, which also includes Sage Northcutt, Yushin Okami and Yoshihiro Akiyama.