ONE Championship cancels plans for South Korea in 2018, adds Myanmar event

ONE Championship has reshuffled their 2018 schedule of events.

The organization recently removed Japan from their 2018 schedule. Now, just three weeks later, the planned event for South Korea has vanished from their list of upcoming events.

Rather than stepping foot in South Korea, the organization will return to Yangon, Myanmar, on June 29 for an event titled “Spirit of a Warrior.” ONE Championship had originally planned just one event in Myanmar for 2018, but the recent changes in their schedule of events will now see the promotion head to Yangon three times this year.

Degree of difficulty

Entering the markets of South Korea and Japan has been a challenge for the Asian martial arts organization.

After having their eyes set on debuting in these powerful economies for a number of years now, their originally planned schedule for 2018 seemed like an ambitious, but achievable task.

Tapping into these two markets would prove to be a valuable maneuver if executed properly. But for now, the organization has altered their plans and will take a step back to reconsider the correct time to bring their show to new land.

Opportunities in Myanmar

With the benefit of hindsight, one of the most notable decisions on their 2018 schedule was to hold just one event in Yangon, Myanmar.

With “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang sitting comfortably at the top of the middleweight and light heavyweight division, the organization now has a full deck of cards to play with.

It’s not just “The Burmese Python,” who is captivating the Burmese audience, however. Considering that Phoe Thaw is quickly becoming a local star, it would have been nonsensical to wait until 2019 to return to Yangon.

ONE Championship 2018 schedule

Manila, Philippines
April 20

Jakarta, Indonesia
May 12

Singapore
May 18

Shanghai, China
May 26

Beijing, China
June 16

Yangon, Myanmar (*)
June 29

Seoul, South Korea
July 1

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (*)
July 13

Manila, Philippines
July 27

Bangkok, Thailand
August 11

Shanghai, China
August 18

Yangon, Myanmar (*)
September 1

Jakarta, Indonesia
September 22

Bangkok, Thailand
October 6

Singapore (*)
November 9

Jakarta, Indonesia (*)
November 17

Manila, Philippines (*)
November 23

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (*)
December 8

Shanghai, China
December 15

Bangkok, Thailand
December 22

(*) indicates that the event has been changed