Chatri Sityodtong Q&A: On Eddie Alvarez’s DQ request, Demetrious Johnson title rematch, more
ONE Championship is in the middle of a four-week run of consecutive primetime events on TNT, which continues Wednesday night with ONE on TNT III at Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The series got off to an interesting start with ONE on TNT I, where former UFC champions Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez made their returns, which ended in disappointing fashion. Johnson lost by second-round knockout to flyweight champion Adriano Moraes, while Alvarez was disqualified in his fight with Iuri Lapicus because of illegal punches.
Ahead of ONE on TNT III, MMA Junkie caught up with ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong, who discussed how the TNT series is going, the possibility of Alvarez’s DQ being overturned, the potential for Johnson to get an immediate title rematch, lightweight champion Christian Lee’s success, and more.
You can watch the complete interview in the video above or read below for answers to some of those topics.
On the significance of the ONE on TNT series, how it's unfolded
"It is a huge moment for the U.S. market, and I have mixed feelings because ONE on TNT I started in the worst way possible with a DQ, complete buzzkill, 15 minutes of down time. We made a lot of production errors, as well, so things we did were both in our control and out of our control. Just, it was Murphy's Law. We had nine fights get canceled because of COVID – this, that and the other. It was just one of those crazy things that exemplifies the poandemic era that we're in. That being said, I was very happy with the social media buzz that we generated with ONE on TNT I. ... We made some errors here and there with the production, but we corrected everything on TNT II, and I'm looking forward to TNT III, and IV obviously. Knock on wood that things don't get – COVID or Murphy's Law or whatever you want to call it."
On Eddie Alvarez's request to have DQ loss overturned
"It is under review. The panel of 15 independent internal and external martial arts experts are reviewing it. Here's what we know factually, so far from the panel and also my own personal opinion: They're definitely illegal blows. I don't know, anywhere from three to five in the back of the head. You can see it in the stills, you can see it in the slow motion, but Eddie had no visibility. It's not like Eddie was doing it intentionally, right? I don't think there was any mal-intent by Eddie. Actually, I know. I know Eddie well, and he's a good guy. There were two referee warnings, 'Back of the head, back of the head,' but Eddie still went for it. Now, the question is whether the ref should've issued a red card and stopped the action, or if he should've issued a yellow card, a warning or a standup. I think that's where the debate is: Is this really DQ material or is this a no contest material? ... The question of red card comes down to the intent. If the panel thinks there was no mal-intent, then it's possible that the DQ gets overturned to a no contest."
On talk of Eddie Alvarez boxing Oscar De La Hoya
"There is a real possibility. Eddie and I spoke about it when he was in Singapore here. Oscar De La Hoya does want to fight Eddie Alvarez, and I think it would be a barnburner of a fight, and I told Eddie I was supportive. Of course, ONE Championship does have contractual rights, but I'm a big De La Hoya fan, and if he wants to slug it out with Eddie, I'm all for it."
On potential immediate title rematch for Demetrious Johnson
"I think DJ's gonna have to earn his way back, because it was a very convincing victory. I would say DJ has to fight a couple more times, two or three more times to prove his mettle against other flyweight contenders."
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