One Championship Postpones December Card Featuring Demetrious Johnson, Two Title Bouts

BREAKING Chatri announces ONE X will be rescheduled to early 2022. Read his full statement here: https://t.co/WUf8T6ThTb @yodchatri #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/3uskOwMWDi

— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) October 27, 2021

One Championship has postponed its Dec. 5 event due to a high number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore, promotion CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced Wednesday.

The card, entitled One “X,” was scheduled to be headlined by a mixed-rules bout between former UFC flyweight ruler Demetrious Johnson and One muay Thai title holder Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Additionally, two title fights were also slated to take place at the event: Bibiano Fernandes vs. John Lineker at bantamweight (145 pounds) and Thanh Le vs. Garry Tonon at featherweight (155 pounds). A new date for the One X card is currently unknown, though MMAFighting.com is reporting that the promotion is tentatively targeting March.

“Due to the record high viral outbreak in Singapore, One “X” will now take place early next year instead of December 5. The Singapore Government continues to do an extraordinary job in managing the situation for the country,” Sityodtong wrote on Facebook. “I am full of gratitude and appreciation for its incredible leadership and excellence. Please note that our regular shows for November and December are expected to continue as per usual. It is a tricky time for everyone in Singapore, but I am confident that we will all get through these times by working together with compassion, resilience, creativity, and patience. Majulah Singapura!

“One X is not only a celebration of our tenth year anniversary, but it is also going to be the biggest event in our history. DJ vs Rodtang, Fernandes vs Lineker, and Le vs Tonon are just a few of the fights on this mega card. I cannot wait to unveil what else we have in store for fans with ONE: X. Stay tuned for more exciting news!”

One Championship has been holding cards in Singapore with a limited number of fans allowed to attend after initially resuming its event schedule behind closed doors. However, COVID-19 cases have risen in the country to the point that nearly 84 percent of intensive care unit beds in government-run hospitals are occupied by infected patients.

Sityodtong’s goal is to be able to hold One “X” “with a full stadium and a full broadcast without major risk,” according to a report from Ariel Helwani. The promotion’s next event One “Nextgen” is slated for Friday at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore and features a pair of atomweight grand prix semifinals. The following two events will take place behind closed doors and will air via tape delay.