Asia's largest sporting league ONE Championship has announced an action-packed slate for 2018.
The region's premier Mixed Martial Arts promotion will hold 24 events across the continent according to its recently-released schedule, including three trips to Shanghai, three events in Bangkok, and four fight cards in Manila.
It includes its debut forays into South Korea and Japan, with an event set for Seoul in July and Tokyo in September.
CEO and Chairman Chartri Sityatdong is excited about what's ahead as the organisation looks to continue the momentum of its show-stopping 2017.
"We are thrilled to announce our incredible 2018 calendar of events for ONE Championship," said Sityatdong in a statement.
"We will continue to showcase the absolute best in martial arts, delivered by our homegrown martial arts superheroes. 2018 is going to be an epic year of action and I can’t wait to get things started."
It's been a landmark year to date for the organisation which continues to break down the conventions of a standard fight card, making a point of incorporating bouts which showcase the traditional martial arts of its host region alongside modern MMA.
There's no sign of yet of any events in the Australasian region, although Sityatdong has previously spoken of his desire to expand further south.
"We've looked at it a few times. It's definitely on our radar, for sure," he confirmed in August.
With two months remaining in 2017 there's still plenty on offer, most notably in a bumper line-up in Singapore on November 24.
Local superstar Angela Lee will defend her Atomweight title against hard-nosed veteran Mei Yamaguchi, while American wrestling ace Ben Askren puts it all on the line in his retirement fight against grappling legend Shinya Aoki in his farewell fight.
Newshub.
