Ritu Phogat joins ONE Championship

Ritu Phogat

ONE Championship continues to make aggressive moves in identifying and acquiring the best talent and placing them under their auspices.

The mixed martial arts outfit announced today that it has signed Indian wrestler Ritu Phogat to a multiple-fight deal, as she makes the move from wrestling to MMA.

In making the deal, ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong shares, "At ONE Championship, we are constantly on the lookout for the world’s greatest martial arts talents, especially in Asia. Women’s wrestling sensation Ritu Phogat embodies the true values of martial arts and is a great fit for our organization. I would like to personally welcome Ritu to the ONE Championship family. I’m excited to share Ritu’s story with the world and to showcase Indian martial arts at the highest level, on the biggest global stage of martial arts competition in ONE Championship."

Phogat says, "It is both an honor and a privilege to join ONE Championship, the best and biggest martial arts organization in the world. Wrestling will always be my first love, but I feel that it is time to expand my horizons. I am excited to compete against the best mixed martial artists in the world and to bring glory and pride to my home country. I also look to prove that Indian martial arts is truly world-class. Thank you, ONE Championship, for the opportunity to share my talent on the global stage."

The 24-year-old Haryana native is a multiple-time Indian National Wrestling Champion, securing medals in the 2016 Commonwealth Wrestling Championships (Gold), 2017 World Under-23 Wrestling World Championships (Silver), and Asian Wrestling Championships (Bronze). She also finished fifth in the Wrestling World Championships last year.

Wrestling is in her bloodline, with her sisters Geeta, Babita Kumari, and Sangeeta, and her cousin Vinesh. She has been training for over a decade and a half in the sport, under the guidance of her father, Mahavir Singh Phogat.

No details yet as to when she will make her ONE Championship debut.