Tuesday, July 28, 2015
No Holds Barred: Victor Cui on ONE Championship 2015 and 2016
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Victor Cui, the CEO of ONE Championship.
Only a bit under four years old but already established as both the largest MMA promotion in Asia by far and one of the largest in the world, ONE Championship has another ambitious schedule set for the remainder of 2015 and more plans for expansion in 2016.
To find out the details, we spoke with Victor Cui by Skype Saturday.
"We've been able to grow exponentially every year and to really tap the new markets," he said, noting the support ONE Championship has gotten from sponsors, governments, and media.
"This last half of the year is definitely packed. We announced our next six events," he said.
So far, this is the schedule for ONE Championship for the remainder of 2015:
ONE: DYNASTY OF CHAMPIONS (SHANGHAI), 1 September in Shanghai, China
ONE: ODYSSEY OF CHAMPIONS, 27 September in Jakarta, Indonesia
ONE: TIGERS OF ASIA, 9 October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ONE: BATTLE AT THE GATES, 7 November in Macau, China
ONE: PRIDE OF LIONS, 13 November in Singapore
ONE: SPIRIT OF CHAMPIONS, 11 December in Manila, Philippines
But wait, there's more!
"We've got several others that I'm going to announce in the upcoming weeks that we're going to add to that schedule," he revealed.
"So it's a busy, busy year for us."
Their most recent event, on July 18, marked the promotion's debut in the country of Myanmar. On that card's main event, ONE Championship's bantamweight champion, Bibiano Fernandes, who is known as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist, successfully defended his belt with a third-round TKO victory against Finnish fighter Toni Tauru, ending the fight with a three-punch combination.
Their next card, on September 1 in the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China, will see the promotion's debut in that city, which is both the largest in China and in the world. On that card's main event, ONE middleweight champion Igor Svirid of Kazakhstan will defend his belt against the unbeaten challenger Vitaly Bigdash of Russia.
We also discussed the organization's growth, their building of "Asian heroes" and regional and national champions, how they navigated between the government and anti-government rebels in Myanmar, plans to expand to even more countries in Asia in 2016, and much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web, at http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/no-holds-barred-with-eddie-goldman.
The PodOmatic Podcast Player for iOS is available for free on the App Store.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at AmericanTopTeam.com.
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Labels: Asia, Eddie Goldman, MMA, No Holds Barred, ONE Championship, Victor Cui
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
No Holds Barred: Victor Cui on ONE FC Sept. 13 in Jakarta and Oct. 18 in Singapore
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Victor Cui, the CEO of ONE FC.
The king of MMA in Asia, ONE FC is getting ready for back-to-back shows. Their next show will be called ONE FC: Champions and Warriors, and will take place Friday, September 13, at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia. They return the following month, with ONE FC: Total Domination on Friday, October 18, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.
ONE FC: Champions and Warriors on September 13 will be headlined by a flyweight bout between Shinichi Kojima of Japan and American Andrew Leone, who fights out of Thailand. The co-main event will have former ONE FC lightweight champion Kotetsu Boku of Japan facing Vuyisile Colossa of South Africa. There will also be fights involving fighters from or having roots in Indonesia, including separate bouts featuring Vincent Latoel and Vincent Majid.
ONE FC: Total Domination on October 18 will feature a bantamweight title unification fight between current champion Soo Chul Kim, who is returning from an injury, and interim champion Bibiano Fernades. Also on that card, Hong Kong native Eddie Ng faces Peter Davis of Malaysia, and Tatsuya Mizuno fights Rafael Silva.
Both these shows will be televised live in Asia on Star Sports, and streamed live as an online pay-per-view, at www.onefc.livesport.tv.
We spoke with Victor Cui by Skype Tuesday about these cards and the significance of running yet another MMA event in Indonesia.
Besides having the fourth largest population in the world and a rapidly growing economy, Indonesia has a special connection to MMA.
"Indonesia is actually a huge hotbed for MMA," said Victor Cui. He estimated that there are "over 30, maybe even over 40 MMA gyms just in Jakarta alone."
He added, "They actually have a very deep talent pool of MMA fighters with professional records because they used to have a professional event there several years ago."
So Indonesia has "a lot of people that know the sport, a big fan base, a lot of gyms, great support from the grassroots level. And you're talking about a culture that loves martial arts."
We also discussed ONE FC's plans to run events once a month for the rest of this year, their plans for 2014 and beyond, and much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.
No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.
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Labels: Asia, Eddie Goldman, Indonesia, Jakarta, MMA, No Holds Barred, One FC, Singapore, Victor Cui
Saturday, January 26, 2013
No Holds Barred: Victor Cui on ONE FC: Return of Warriors Feb. 2 Card in Malaysia
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again speaks with Victor Cui, the CEO of ONE FC.
ONE FC returns with its first show of 2013 with a loaded card on Saturday, February 2, called ONE FC: Return of Warriors. This card will take place in the Stadium Putra in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and will be available live on an international pay-per-view webcast on LiveSport.TV.
ONE FC: Return of Warriors is headlined by a fight for the ONE FC featherweight championship between the unbeaten Eric Kelly and the URCC lightweight champion Honorio Banario. There will also be a four-man Malaysian national featherweight championship tournament.
Speaking of this national championship tournament, Victor Cui said in this interview, which was recorded by Skype Sunday (Saturday New York time), "We're going to start to do this in every country that we go to, where we are going to be able to crown a national MMA champion in those countries, if the talent pool is deep enough." ONE FC will then put the winners of these national championships "into the pipeline up for contention for the belt eventually." He added, "This is really exciting to me, because it is part of making local fans by giving them a national hero that they can follow and get excited about."
He also announced that the next ONE FC show will be held Friday, April 5, in Singapore, with the fighters to be named very shortly. ONE FC, he said, plans to hold 12 events in 2013 plus two more summits, and 24 events in 2014. The April 5 card will be televised live in Asia on Star Sports.
We also discussed how ONE FC is planning to expand local telecasts and have them in multiple languages, possible co-promotions with groups like Glory and Dream, potential locations of upcoming cards including China, how ONE FC is "actually ahead of track of where our plans were," and much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.
No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.
MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City February 16 and 17, 2013, for the fourth annual MMA World Expo, featuring an amateur MMA tournament, grappling, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, February 16, and Sunday, February 17, 2013, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.
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Labels: Asia, Eddie Goldman, Eric Kelly, Honorio Banario, Malaysia, MMA, No Holds Barred, One FC, Return of Warriors, Victor Cui
Saturday, October 20, 2012
No Holds Barred: Victor Cui of ONE FC on the Boom in Asian MMA
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Victor Cui, the CEO of ONE FC.
Their most recent show, ONE FC: Rise of Kings, was held October 6 at a sold-out Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. This show marked another step forward for ONE FC with the introduction of ONE FC title fights.
Both of the title fights on this card resulted in what many people consider to be upsets. In the lightweight title fight, Kotetsu Boku defeated Zorobabel Moreira by TKO at 1:02 of round 3. In the bantamweight title fight, Soo Chul Kim avenged a decision loss last year to Leandro Issa by defeating him by knockout at 15 seconds of round 2. Also in the top fight on this card, grappling legend Shinya Aoki defeated Arnaud Lepont by triangle choke submission at 1:25 of round 1.
In this interview, recorded by Skype on Wednesday, Victor Cui explained that on this, their sixth show, about one year after the founding of ONE FC, it was the "right time" to introduce championships in ONE FC.
He explained that their mandate directs them to "put together the most exciting fights for ONE FC so that we've got not only people that deserve a title shot but a world championship, but also what's going to really ignite fans and turn more Asians into more fans and turn more people around the world into ONE FC fans."
We also discussed the other fights on this card, the plans for future title fights and the bantamweight Grand Prix, the plans for running events for the rest of 2012 and in 2013 and in new cities and countries in Asia, the challenges resulting from the rapid growth of ONE FC, plans for getting on American TV, the possibility of a heavyweight Grand Prix, and much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.
No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.
MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City December 1 and 2 for the fourth annual MMA World Expo, featuring an amateur MMA tournament, the Big Apple BJJ Open, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, and much more. The 2012 MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, December 1, and Sunday, December 2, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.
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Labels: Arnaud Lepont, Asia, Eddie Goldman, Kotetsu Boku, Leandro Issa, MMA, No Holds Barred, One FC, Rise of Kings, Shinya Aoki, Soo Chul Kim, Victor Cui, Zorobabel Moreira
Sunday, July 29, 2012
No Holds Barred: Victor Cui Previews ONE FC: Pride of a Nation


ONE FC: Pride of a Nation will be held Friday, August 31, at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, the Philippines, the site of the 1975 "Thrilla in Manila" between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
Among the many fights on this card, which is still being finalized, will be a showdown between Gustavo Falciroli, who holds the CFC (Cage Fighting Championship) bantamweight title, and the internationally-ranked Bibiano Fernandes, who holds the Dream bantamweight title.
"When you go to the Philippines and when you hear the level of excitement that people have for ONE FC coming to town and how fast our ticket sales are moving and how knowledgeable people are of MMA and what we're doing there, it's really, really exciting," Victor Cui said in this interview, which was recorded by Skype Friday (Thursday New York time).
"Our press conference there was supposed to be a half hour press conference, and they ended up doing interviews and talking for almost four hours," he added. "When we sell out Smart Araneta Coliseum, 16,000 people, it's going to be insane in there."
We discussed what fights are confirmed for this card, including the historic participation of three members of the Gracie family: Rolles, Igor, and Gregor Gracie. We discussed the many fighters from the Philippines who will also be featured, including Eric Kelly, Eduard Folayang, and others, and who is confirmed, likely (including Shinya Aoki), and not appearing on this card. We also discussed how ONE FC works with URCC, the major MMA company in the Philippines, as well as the plans for a live webcast of this event, and much more.
In addition, Eddie offers a commentary on the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics, the important role played in it by athletes from the combat sports, and the true spirit of Olympism.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.
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Labels: Aoki, Bibiano Fernandes, Eddie Goldman, Gracie, Gregor, Gustavo Falciroli, Igor, London Olympics, MMA, No Holds Barred, One FC, Philippines, Rolles, Victor Cui
Saturday, May 19, 2012
No Holds Barred: Victor Cui of ONE FC on the ONE Asia MMA Summit 2012


ONE FC will be hosting a unique and historic event called the ONE Asia MMA Summit 2012. This is not a fight card, but a gathering of 150 leaders "from the biggest MMA promotions, the most prominent MMA gyms, the largest global sponsors, the top media companies, and government partners" to discuss various aspects of the rapidly-growing mixed martial arts scene in Asia, and how to continue to work together via the ONE FC Network.
The invitation-only ONE Asia MMA Summit 2012 will take place June 1-3 in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands resort and casino.
We spoke with Victor Cui about this ground-breaking event by phone Friday Singapore time (Thursday New York time).
"The entire community under the ONE FC Network is coming together," said Victor Cui in this interview. "Everybody that has helped bring MMA to where it is right now in Asia is going to be at this Summit."
We thus discussed the importance and goals of this Summit, some of the topics of the presentations and discussions which will take place, the long-term plans of ONE FC including regional and international television deals, how the various MMA promotions in the ONE FC Network have been working together, the role of the MMA media, and much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.
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American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.
Labels: Asia, Eddie Goldman, MMA, No Holds Barred, One FC, ONE Fighting Championship, Singapore, Summit, Victor Cui
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
No Holds Barred: Victor Cui of ONE Fighting Championship

Based in Singapore, ONE FC ran their first mixed martial arts card on September 3, 2011. They have led the establishment of the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which is a mutually exclusive partnership of mixed martial arts organizations and gyms across Asia and the Pacific which will co-promote events and share fighters. So far, ONE FC has partnered with Dream in Japan, URCC in the Philippines, Cage Fighting Championship in Australia, ROAD Fighting Championship in Korea, DARE Fightsports in Thailand, Team Lakay Wushu in the Philippines, Tiger Muay Thai and MMA in Thailand, Tigers Gym in India, Evolve Mixed Martial Arts in Singapore, Legacy Gym in Thailand, Tough MMA in Taiwan, Synergy Jiu-Jitsu in Indonesia, Juggernaut FC in Singapore, Fightworks Asia in Singapore, PAK MMA in Pakistan, Team Force in Korea, MuayFit in Malaysia, and Leverage MMA in Malaysia.
With numerous other partnerships and television deals in the works, ONE FC has already announced three events for 2012: February 11, 2012, in Jakarta, Indonesia, at the Kelapa Gading Sports Mall; March 31, 2012, in Singapore, Singapore, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium; and April 27, 2012, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the Stadium Negara.
Clearly, ONE FC has emerged as the largest mixed martial arts event in Asia.
We spoke by Skype with Victor Cui on Wednesday about the development of ONE FC and their plans. He explained that "the way to exponentially grow, and quickly, a sport is cooperatively." While he obviously is building his own MMA organization and this network, he stressed that MMA organizations should "work together." He said, "The goal here is the greater good."
Our lengthy discussion included topics such as their plans for televising their events throughout Asia, the issues of governance of MMA and fighter safety, the importance of the martial arts traditions in Asia and seeing MMA as part of that, the potential for Asia to become a mixed martial arts capital of the world, boxing and MMA, their attitude to other organizations such as M-1 Global and UFC, and much more.
We also open with a commentary on the widespread analysis of people like Professor Kishore Mahbubani of Singapore that we are now in the "Asian Century", and the future of the combat sports.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.
American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.
The American Sambo Association, which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com.
Labels: Asia, boxing, Eddie Goldman, martial arts, MMA, No Holds Barred, One FC, Singapore, Victor Cui









