Filipino MMA fighter Eduard Folayang (L) fights Felipe Enomoto of Switzerland during the ONE FC Pride of a Nation event at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila on August 31. Photograph supplied

Asian mixed martial arts promotion companies ONE Fighting Championship (ONE FC) and Glory Sports International (GSI) have announced an agreement on a fighter exchange program, according to a press release yesterday.

The internationally recognised organisations have entered into a mutually beneficial exclusive partnership, signifying another turning point for the combat sport in the region.

The agreement means that any GSI MMA fighter will be eligible to compete in Asia at ONE FC events, while any ONE FC fighter will be able to enter GSI events, which are currently held under the DREAM brand in Japan.

Exchanges are expected to happen with immediate effect, with the program also covering the ONE FC network of other affiliate associations and gyms across the region.

ONE FC CEO Victor Cui said: “It is an absolute pleasure to work with Glory Sports International. Our events will have even more exciting match-ups and the biggest winners are the fans of MMA around the world.

“ONE FC will continue to showcase the most exciting fights between the best fighters in Asia and having GSI as a partner will automatically create new opportunities for everyone involved and looking to associate with the fastest growing sport in the world.” GSI is presenting DREAM 18 & GLORY 4 at Tokyo’s Saitama Super Arena on December 31. 

DREAM 18 will feature eight bouts between some of the top MMA fighters from Japan and across the globe, while GLORY 4 will be showcase international heavyweight stand-up fighters in a 16-man single-elimination tournament.

For the first time, the two finalists of GLORY 4 will be required to fight four times on the same night.

The winner will be crowned the GLORY Grand Slam Heavyweight Champion and take home $400,000 from a total prize money of $600,000.

ONE FC posted on their Facebook page yesterday that their next event would be in Kuala Lumpur on February 2.

To contact the reporter on this story: Dan Riley at [email protected]