Chatri Sityodtong Photo by Singyuin Christy • John Hackleman Photo by Cory SorensenONE Championship Announces Partnership With
Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts
Hawaiian
Kempo’s John
Hackleman on
Pre-emption
H
ow do you deal with a situa-
tion in which the guy hasn’t
attacked you yet but you know
he will?
“He is attacking you first. He just
hasn’t gotten his hands on you yet.
You feel you’re in imminent danger,
and that’s the definition of self-
defense. You’re allowed to defend
your life if you feel the guy is about
to lay his hands on you. You have
the right and obligation to defend
yourself pre-emptively. You don’t
have to wait until he hits first.”A
sia-based ONE Championship announced a partnership with the Global Associa-
tion of Mixed Martial Arts, the independent governing body for the sport of MMA.
Based in Amsterdam, GAMMA is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018. It’s com-
posed of MMA thought leaders and pioneers across five continents. GAMMA is headed
by Alexander Engelhardt, and its membership encompasses national federations in
60-plus countries. The group’s objective is to obtain international recognition for MMA as
an Olympic sport.
As part of the partnership, ONE Championship will support GAMMA’s efforts to obtain
Olympic recognition for MMA. In addition, ONE will work with GAMMA to develop and
promote best practices in the health and safety fields, anti-doping regulations and com-
petition rules for amateur MMA.
“ONE Championship is thrilled to announce a multiyear partnership with GAMMA,
the world’s independent governing body of the sport of mixed martial arts,” said Chatri
Sityodtong, ONE’s chairman and CEO. “As a lifelong martial artist, I am personally
invested in developing the amateur mixed martial arts scene and ensuring that all ath-
letes have the right foundation and support to pursue a professional career in this sport.”
With help from ONE, GAMMA is set to hold its Amateur MMA World Championships in
Singapore in November 2019, showcasing the world’s brightest young martial artists on
a prestigious global stage.
“On behalf of GAMMA, I would like to thank ONE Championship for their support and
commitment to the sport of mixed martial arts,” Engelhardt said. “As a lifelong karate
practitioner, I am passionate about delivering the same level of international recognition to
the discipline of mixed martial arts. Both GAMMA and ONE celebrate the authentic martial
arts values of integrity, humility, honor, respect, courage, discipline and compassion in the
same spirit as the Olympics. With this philosophical foundation, GAMMA and ONE aim to
elevate the sport of mixed martial arts and prepare it for entry into the Olympics.”Chatri
SityodtongJohn Hackleman16 BLACKBELTMAG.COM § AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019