ONE Championship have been making some big moves lately.
Recently, the Asian promotion inked deals with former UFC champions Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez to represent the organization. It was confirmed yesterday that both men will compete in 8-man flyweight and lightweight tournaments in 2019 in their first official outings in their new home.
Their aggressive hiring policy hasn’t stopped there. It was confirmed today by ONE that they have signed a deal with former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate to appoint her as the company’s new VP. Tate will join fellow former UFC champion Rich Franklin, who has held a similar role with the organisation since 2014.
“Miesha has been an incredible pioneer for the sport and has been an inspiration for many young men and women. What impresses me most about Miesha is her humility, compassion, honor and respect,” Chatri Sityodtong, chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, announced in a statement.
“Throughout her career, Miesha has always exemplified the deep-rooted martial arts values of integrity, humility, honor, respect, courage, discipline and compassion. Not only is she a good friend but I am to have her represent ONE championship on a global scale. I look forward to welcoming Miesha to her new home in Singapore.”
For her part Tate, who retired from MMA following a loss to Raquel Pennington in November 2016, said she was looking forward to the challenge.
“I am thrilled to join ONE Championship as a vice president,” she said.
“I truly believe in its mission of unleashing real-life superheroes who ignite the world with hope, strength, dreams and inspiration. I’m honored to bring my experience as a world champion and to help inspire the next generation of athletes. And of course, I am excited to relocate to my new home, Singapore and travel throughout Asia.”