ONE Championship Co-Founder & Group President Hua Fung Teh participated as East Asia’s only representative on the Global Advisory Council at the Qatar Economic Forum.
Doha, Qatar: ONE Championship Co-Founder & Group President Hua Fung Teh has termed Qatar a “core market,” saying the next edition of ONE: Qatar “will be the biggest and most ambitious yet.”
ONE: Qatar, a combat sports event produced by ONE Championship, has delivered two blockbuster editions – ONE 166: Qatar and ONE 171: Qatar – since making its debut in 2024.
In an interview with The Peninsula on the sidelines of the Qatar Economic Forum (QEF) held last week in Doha, the ONE Championship Group President said plans are intact to return to Qatar “soon.”
“We are already planning our return. We aim to raise the bar with every show, and our next event in Qatar will be the biggest and most ambitious yet. We’re just getting started,” said Fung Teh, who participated as East Asia’s only representative on the Global Advisory Council at the QEF.
The packed Lusail Sports Arena created a cauldron-like atmosphere during February’s ONE 171: Qatar, and Fung Teh also picked the latest edition as his favourite.
“Each of our events in Qatar has been a milestone, and that makes it difficult to choose which one was better. If I had to choose though, I think ONE 171 stands out. From a sporting perspective, it had everything – 13 bouts, 19 nationalities represented, and 10 finishes. It was one of the most action-packed cards we’ve put together globally,” he said when asked to pick one.
“We’re coming back to Qatar soon – and we intend to deliver our biggest event yet. Every show is an opportunity to elevate the standard and bring unforgettable moments to our fans,” he added.
The ONE Championship Co-Founder reflected on the strong presence of regional fighters, saying the MENA region is rich with talent and fans here are deeply passionate. He also praised Arab fighters such as Anissa Meksen, Mohammad Younes Rabah, Ilias Ennahachi, and Elmehdi El Jamari.
Thrilling action marked the first two editions of ONE: Qatar.
“The talent coming out of the region is world-class. These athletes are proof that the MENA region belongs on the global stage,” he said.
Fung Teh also expressed confidence in the emergence of Qatari talent in future events.
“We’re actively scouting talent across the region, and Qatar is certainly high up on our radar. The talent pool is growing, and we believe it’s only a matter of time before we see a Qatari athlete competing on our roster,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fung Teh hailed Qatar as “one of the leading global destinations for sport.”
“From the unforgettable FIFA World Cup to a historic World Athletics Championships, Qatar has consistently delivered international sporting events at the highest level. The country’s long-term investment in infrastructure, youth development, and international partnerships is accelerating the growth of sports not just in the Middle East, but across the world as well. It’s a powerful example of a grand vision perfectly executed,” he said.
Speaking about the QEF, the ONE Championship Group President said, “The Qatar Economic Forum is a truly world-class platform for high-impact dialogue. It’s our fifth time participating, and each year the platform grows in impact and relevance. Qatar has positioned itself as a global connector – a meeting point for senior leaders, business titans, and policymakers to engage on the defining issues of our time, and the Qatar Economic Forum is the perfect expression of this. For me personally, the forum is a special opportunity every year to meet and reconnect with partners and associates not just from the region, but from around the world.”
On his role as East Asia’s only representative on the QEF Global Advisory Council, he added: “It’s a privilege to serve on the inaugural Global Advisory Council alongside distinguished peers from around the world. Our role is to help shape the Forum’s strategic direction and curate the Forum’s global community of senior attendees. I look forward to contributing an Asian perspective to the dialogue and deepening cross-regional engagement.”
ONE Championship has experienced significant growth, staging three of its most successful events in Q1 2025 alone – in Japan, Thailand, and Qatar. Its athlete roster is expanding rapidly across all four disciplines: MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling, with Fung Teh saying “the level of talent signing with ONE is at an all-time high.”
