ONE Championship has released five athletes from their roster across MMA and Muay Thai divisions. The MMA fighters cut include Garry Tonon (9-2) and Magomed Akaev (10-2). Three Muay Thai fighters were also released: Stefan Korodi (2-3-0), Amber Kitchen (0-2-0), and Zafer Sayik (0-3-0). While the Muay Thai fighters had poor records and limited media presence, Tonon's release is more surprising as he fought all his professional bouts in ONE, had a solid record, competed for a title, and is recognized as one of the strongest and most decorated grapplers in the world. The releases appear to be part of a roster restructuring by the promotion.
ONE Championship has parted ways with five athletes spanning its MMA and Muay Thai rosters, the promotion confirmed, in what appears to be a broader roster restructuring effort.
The most prominent name among the cuts is Garry Tonon, whose release stands out given his deep ties to the organization. Tonon built his entire professional MMA career inside ONE, going 9-2 with the promotion and at one point competing for a title. Long regarded as one of the most accomplished submission grapplers in the world, his departure marks a genuine loss of star power for the promotion.
Fellow MMA fighter Magomed Akaev was also cut, finishing his ONE tenure with a 10-2 record. Despite a winning record, Akaev was not retained as the organization trimmed its roster.
The three Muay Thai athletes released — Stefan Korodi, Amber Kitchen, and Zafer Sayik — each struggled to gain traction competitively. Korodi finishes with a 2-3 record under the ONE banner, while Kitchen and Sayik both depart without a win, holding records of 0-2 and 0-3 respectively.
Why it matters
- Tonon's release is the headliner: a 9-2 fighter and former title challenger with a loyal fanbase representing a significant roster subtraction.
- Akaev's 10-2 record makes his cut notable as well, suggesting the restructuring extended beyond clearing underperforming talent.
- The departures of Kitchen, Korodi, and Sayik align more closely with standard roster management, removing athletes who had not found success in their respective divisions.
- The move signals ONE Championship is actively reshaping its competitive rosters rather than maintaining depth for its own sake.
