One Championship: Rich Franklin reflects on moulding Asia’s rising tribe of MMA Warriors
- UFC legend Rich Franklin’s One: Warrior Series providing pathway into MMA for some of most exciting talent in Asia
- ‘In five years people will look at the One roster and notice how many of these top fighters got their start in OWS’
Rich Franklin’s life inside the cage was drawing to a close when he first ventured out to Asia. The experience would alter the course of his career – and his life.
“I really didn’t know much about the place at all,” says Franklin, of that first trip to the region back in 2011. “I was invited out to Singapore to host a seminar at Evolve MMA and was simply blown away by the talent, and by the potential. In fact it was that first trip that opened the door to the job I have today.”
That would be as One Championship vice-president, as well CEO and host of the One Warrior Series (OWS) that last month aired its 10th event but has seriously clicked into the gear over the past 12 months, providing a pathway into MMA for some of the most exciting talent the region has to offer.
Think Thai multi-discipline stand-out Stamp Fairtex, whose at 4-0 in MMA and whose destiny seems set towards a shot at the atomweight title currently held by Angela “Unstoppable” Lee (10-2). Think emerging strawweight talent Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang (11-2), so impressive in dismantling Thailand’s Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit (10-5) last time out and – like Stamp – seemingly set for a collision at some stage with incumbent (Team Lakay pal) Joshua “The Passion” Pacio (17-3).
Adiwang’s latest win came at Fire & Fury, held in Manila on January 31, just as the coronavirus started its global spread and rumours about the possibility of the world pretty much coming to a halt were first emerging. Of course, those rumours have since been confirmed and MMA – like pretty much everything in the sporting world – is pretty much on hold.