ONE Championship is looking to the likes of international MMA superstars Aung La N Sang, Eddie Alvarez and Demetrious Johnson to help return some sense of normalcy to an Asian sporting scene brought to a standstill for more than six months by the Covid-19 pandemic. “In many ways we are the international pilot test. If we are successful then we will have the blueprint for other international events to start in Singapore,” said ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong in a conference call on Tuesday. The call came ahead of ONE’s Reign of Dynasties card on Friday night in Singapore, the first major event of any kind in the city in months. “Whether it’s sports, music or entertainment,” according to Chatri. The region’s leading martial arts promotion was at the same time continuing to talk with governments around the region as it looks to restart its schedule of international events, he revealed. “We’re working with multiple governments and multiple international locations,” said Chatri. Chatri had overnight let the cat out of the bag in terms of ONE’s stacked Inside The Matrix card, set for October 30. He confirmed widespread rumours that their first major international event would feature four world title fights drawn from its MMA division, and include fighters from across the globe. ONE: Chatri confirms atomweight grand prix with Angela Lee pregnant “The Burmese Python” N Sang (26-10) will defend his middleweight belt against undefeated “Dutch Knight” Reinier De Ridder (12-0); lightweight champ Christian “The Warrior” Lee (13-3) will be up against the undefeated Iuri Lapicus (14-0) of Moldova; Australian featherweight champ Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen (13-3) faces American Thanh Le (11-2); and Chinese strawweight champion Xiong “The Panda” Xingnan (14-2) will put her belt on the line in a rematch with Singapore’s Tiffany “No Chill” Teo (9-1). Chatri said the card – at a venue still to be announced – would also feature “a few” fighters from the Philippines, including a bout between the country’s former lightweight champion, Eduard Folayang (22-9), and Australian Antonio “The Spartan” Caruso (7-1). Chatri also revealed ONE was working on plans to have two of the promotion’s poster boys – American multiple lightweight champion Alvarez (30-7, one no contest) and flyweight “GOAT” (greatest of all time) Johnson (30-3-1) – back in action, and in Asia, as soon as possible. “Definitely,” Chatri said, when asked whether Alvarez and Johnson were part of his plans. “We are solving those issues as we speak and again we are working with multiple governments internationally to create the same situation we have in Singapore. So knock on wood that things come to fruition. But, yes, I am eager to get DJ and Eddie back in action ASAP.” As with other major sporting organisations across the globe – including the UFC and the NBA – ONE has worked to set up a “bubble” inside Singapore to ensure the safety of both athletes and staff, as well as the local population. “Everything from preflight tests before they embark from their destination country, to tests when they arrive, to tests throughout the week. We’ve created a bubble with the hotel and transport from the airport,” Chatri said. “ONE Championship is the first international production of any kind in Singapore allowed to have Green Lane visas with no quarantine to our athletes. There’s no 14-day quarantine. They come in, obviously the protocols are very stringent, and obviously the ‘bubble’ between the airport, and the transport and the hotel, and having security guards at every floor. These are the precautionary measures we are taking.” ONE returns to its base after hosting a series of no-fan events in Bangkok in July and August. The Reign of Dynasties card will be headlined by strawweight Muay Thai champ Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, who is up against Australian challenger Josh Tonna. The event will be staged at the Singapore Indoor Area with no fans – something that will remain the new normal for the time being, according to Chatri. “I foresee empty stadiums probably for the next 12 months around the world,” said Chatri. “At least.”