ONE Championship: Ritu Phogat still under ‘exclusive’ contract with promotion despite reported exit
- Several Indian news outlets reported that MMA star Phogat has left ONE in favour of a local promotion
- However, ONE officials say ‘The Indian Tigress’ is ‘100 per cent’ still signed to deal with Singapore-based organisation
Ritu Phogat is still under contract with ONE Championship, despite reports she has joined an Indian MMA promotion.
Several Indian news outlets reported this week the 28-year-old MMA star had parted ways with the Singapore-based ONE, and signed with a Mumbai-based organisation called Kumite 1 League.
However, ONE officials said Phogat’s contact is still active, and that it is exclusive, meaning she is not able to take her services elsewhere.
Phogat, an Indian national wrestling champion, has been with ONE for the entirety of her professional MMA career to date.
“The Indian Tigress” has gone 7-3 in 10 fights between 2019 and 2022, competing as an atomweight.
She got off a strong start, defeating Nam Hee-kim, Wu Chiao Chen, Jomary Tores, and Nou Srey Pov before losing a contentious split decision victory to Bi Nguyen, who has since parted ways with ONE.
ONE: Ok vs Tynanes set for US debut
After her loss to Nguyen, Phogat got back on track with a trio of unanimous-decision wins over Lin Heqin, Meng Bo and Jenelyn Olsim.
The latter two wins occurred in the promotion’s 2021 atomweight grand prix, and earned her a spot in the tournament final against Thai star Stamp Fairtex, with a shot at champion Angela Lee on the line.
Phogat was ultimately submitted by Stamp via second-round armbar, and a year later, was submitted by Tiffany Teo via rare-naked choke, this time in the first round.
Kumite 1 League, where Phogat was rumoured to have signed, has been operating out of Mumbai since 2017.
Phogat has not commented publicly on the rumours of her exit from ONE.
