The New York Times ran an article on Asian MMA organization OneFC this past week. The article focused on the building of the organization and the possibility that MMA will be a sport on the rise in Asia.
The article speaks with Victor Cui, the CEO of OneFC, and covers the company’s swift expansion and popularity since its inception in 2011.
It also interviewed UFC’s managing director of Asia Mark Fischer and the company’s aspiration for the promotion to extend its brand into Asia. Fischer stated that market surveys show that it is making a dent in the Chinese market – a key market in the region, along with India.
Not included in the article but of note for the OneFC organization was its recent Asian MMA Summit which invites promoters, trainers, gym owners and others to discuss the business of MMA in Asia. The effort is spearheaded by Cui and one of its perks is to allow fighters on cross promotional cards in an effort to share the talent.
Payout Perspective:
The OneFC feature is a great public relations piece considering that all of its events occur in Asia. The company’s popularity is shown through its sold out shows, a lucrative television deal and blue chip sponsors. It has retained key sponsors such as Sony, Carl’s Jr, Schick Razor and Energizer. It recently signed an exclusive content deal with Yahoo! Philippines – the country’s number one news site. Also, Cui’s Asian MMA Summit is an effort to collaborate with other MMA organizations in discussing MMA business across Asia as well as share talent for its shows.
With the UFC is still growing its brand in Asia, it will be interesting to see the continued expansion of OneFC. Cui’s group is focused on regional expansion and its focus remains on Asia while the UFC’s counts Asia as a major piece in its global goal.
Of note, a week previously, the New York Times ran a story on the front page of the Sports Section on Jon Jones in promotion of UFC 159. The OneFC feature made it two weeks in a row that the paper had detailed stories in on MMA.
One FC’s big deal with ESPN in Asia, well the UFC are on the same channel, since it’s been renamed Fox Sports Asia. Here’s a link about it,http://www.firstpost.com/sports/fox-sports-replaces-espn-star-sports-in-asia-605941.html “There are also new shows in the works, such as the ‘Thursday Fight Night’, which will focus on the Ultimate Fighting Championship”
“Replaced” but not “renamed”. ESPN is a Disney property, while FOX is a News Corporation property.
They co-owned it originally actually, Fox bought out the other half and renamed it.
One fc is all hype.apearing in ny times is just pr.they have good relationship with the media…the same guy who ran martial combat is the one running onefc..and that promotion folded up.the only strong point of onefc is the espn deal but look closer at they’re roster and lineup since they’re martial combat days…a lot of the fighters are no longer fighting under they’re banner…..they like signing people make a big deal about it.let them sign long term contracts but can’t book them fights…where’s ole laursen,the Thai boxing champ yodasan?issa? they say they would have 12 events this year..it’s may so far they have 1…..
Check out fighters in they’re rosters in they’re site….then count they’re events and fights in one night then compute how many times those fighters would be fighting