ONE FC announces continent-wide amateur MMA series

With solid footing in Asia, ONE FC is now expanding beyond its pro MMA events.

The organization today announced a new amateur MMA series, which will take place across the continent and work as a developmental league for the organization’s pro series. It’ll include network and gym/training camp partners, and existing amateur series could be part of the project.

“This is the largest amateur MMA series in Asia that brings together every major gym, partner and current amateur events as part of the ONE FC network,” ONE FC CEO Victor Cui stated. “This is game-changing for MMA in Asia as ONE FC continues to build on our 90 percent market share and by leading the amateur MMA development by holding amateur events in major cities across Asia and regularly at once a month. This is big, very big, and I’m excited to be building this Asia-wide amateur series because we have already received tremendous support from our sponsors, partners and gyms on this initiative.”

Details about the debut show weren’t announced.

According to ONE FC Vice President of Operations Matt Hume, it’ll be the largest amateur MMA series in the world.

Asia recently has seen the closing of major promotions such as DREAM and World Victory Road/Sengoku, which launched after the buyout and closing of PRIDE in 2007. Additionally, the UFC has hosted just two shows in Asia (in Japan and Macau) in the past year as its operations in the region remain in the early/planning stages.

With a lack of major competition, ONE FC has hosted 10 events since its launch in September 2011. Some of the region’s notable fighters – such as Shinya Aoki, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Masakatsu Ueda, Kotetsu Boku and Soo Chul Kim – and a host of UFC and Strikeforce veterans have been part of the organization’s cards, which air/stream via online pay-per-view and on broadcast partners such as FOX and STAR Sports.

Due to ONE FC’s growth and large footprint in Asia, Cui was recently named the 22nd most powerful person in MMA by USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com.

For more on ONE FC’s schedule, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Victor Cui)