Chatri Sityodtong has told Thai media that ONE Championship intends to hold another Featherweight Grand Prix tournament this year. He broke the news a day before ONE Friday Fights 58: Superbon Vs. Grigorian II.
"Chingiz wants to rest. I and my team talked to his manager and [he said] he wants to rest. When he is back, we will organize a very big Grand Prix. And he will come back. Tomorrow, we will watch Marat vs. Superbon. This is the interim world title. When Chingiz is back, he will fight the best of the best again."
Later, the ONE Championship CEO spoke to Nicolas Atkin of Sportskeeda and provided some more details.
Superbon is now the interim Featherweight Kickboxing champion and will be participating in the tournament alongside current champion Chingiz Allazov sometime in 2024. Earlier this year, Allazov talked about wanting to terminate his ONE Championship contract in search of better opportunities elsewhere. The tournament will mark his return to the ring.
The two fighters will be on opposite ends of the bracket - meaning they will have to win two fights in the tournament before possibly running back their January 2023 match, in which Allazov brutally knocked out the Thai fighter in the second round.
The winner of the tournament will win two belts, the Featherweight championship belt and a Grand Prix belt.
The other details of the tournament, including the other involved fighters and the exact schedule remain unknown. Top kickboxers in ONE's Featherweight division include Marat Grigorian, Tawanchai PK Saenchai, and Sittichai Sitsongpeenong.
