ONE Championship announced on Tuesday that it will host a featherweight kickboxing grand prix in 2024. This will mark the third time that athletes in that weight class will compete in the tournament.
The Grand Prix differs from traditional combat sports events in that it is a knockout-style event in which fighters are either defeated and eliminated or advance to the next round and ultimately the final.
The inaugural Featherweight Kickboxing Grand Prix took place in 2019 and featured eight fighters. The winner was Giorgio Petrosyan, who will be returning to compete this year.
The second tournament was held in 2022, with Chingiz Alazov emerging from a field of eight competitors to win the featherweight kickboxing title.
Being a champion means that the eventual winner has a chance to win the title.
The Georgian fighter is not expected to take part in the tournament as he has been away from competition for a while now, and Superbon “Sinha” Mawin recently became the interim featherweight champion after defeating Marat Grigorian at ONE Friday Fights 58 to claim the belt.
Both Superbon and Grigorian could potentially be invited to play in the tournament.
Other featherweight contenders on the list include Davit Kiria, Sitsichai Sitsongpeenong and Masaaki Noiri, who are all scheduled to meet at ONE 167 next month.
There is also a possibility that current featherweight Muay Thai champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai Gym will be involved.
Tawanchai, who will defend his title against Jo Nattawut at ONE 167 next month, has previously competed in kickboxing and won the Muay Thai title by decision against Superbon.
Some players who competed in the past two tournaments, such as Yodsanklai Fairtex, Andy Souwer and Petchmorakot Petchyindee, have already moved on to their next tournaments or retired, meaning some will not be able to participate.
However, most of them are still on the roster, giving promotions plenty of options to choose from.
