Chatri Sityodtong

The whole world celebrated when the Thai cave rescue was confirmed to be successful. One of those who were elated after hearing the news was ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

On June 23, 2018, 12 members of the Thai soccer team Wild Boars, aged 13-16, and their 25-year-old coach were trapped inside a cave in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, Thailand. They were finally found alive in the cave on July 2, 2018.

A team of local and international rescuers, including the Thai NAVY Seals, was able to rescue the first four boys on July 8, 2018 and the second batch of four boys on July 8, 2018. The last batch of four boys along with their coach were all successfully extracted from the cave on July 10, 2018.

On October 6, 2018, the Wild Boars soccer players and their coach along with their rescuers are expected to attend “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes” as Sityodtong’s special guests at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. They will witness the first ever ONE Championship boxing bout.

The main event of “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes” will feature Thai boxing superstar Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, 31. He will defend his title as the reigning WBC Super Flyweight Champion from his opponent, who is yet to be announced.

Aside from Sor Rungvisai, “ONE: Kingdom of Heroes” will feature several other Thai athletes. Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai, 29, and Rika “Tiny Doll” Ishige, 29, will compete in mixed martial arts bouts while Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex, 33, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, 32, and Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai, 24, will compete in ONE Super Series, the striking-only league of ONE Championship.

One of the local rescue volunteers who helped in the successful Thai cave rescue is ONE Championship athlete Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit, 22. Fighting out of Chiang Mai, Thailand, he has been competing in the promotion since 2016.

After participating in the successful Thai cave rescue, Mitsatit will put his unblemished professional MMA record on the line on July 27, 2018. With 9 wins and 0 loss, he will compete against Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, 22, of Baguio City, Philippines at “ONE: Reign of Kings” at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Meanwhile, watch the last part of the Thai cave rescue here: