ONE Championship and Shooto have entered a partnership. The announcement is the latest of many big announcements that ONE Championship have made over the last six months. The partnership also sees ONE improve their relationship with Japan, with the promotion’s first card in the country coming up on March 31st.

ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong, made the announcement on Facebook and Twitter in the last hour.

It is an honor for me to announce a historic partnership between ONE Championship and Shooto, the world's oldest mixed martial arts organization! Launched 34 years ago in Japan, Shooto is actually the original pioneer of what is now mixed martial arts today. #WeAreONE

— Chatri Sityodtong (@yodchatri) January 25, 2019

It is a misconception that America is the birthplace of mixed martial arts; Japan is the true and rightful birthplace of mixed martial arts. Everything started with Shooto in 1986.

— Chatri Sityodtong (@yodchatri) January 25, 2019

I'm thrilled to announce that Shooto has now become an exclusive partner to provide its best athletes and World Champions to ONE Championship! #WeAreONE

— Chatri Sityodtong (@yodchatri) January 25, 2019

The partnership will see both ONE Championship and Shooto work together to further develop the martial arts industry in Japan, providing athletes a global platform to showcase their talents and develop their skills.

Under the terms of the partnership, all Professional Shooto World Champions will receive the opportunity to compete in ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial arts organization. In addition, the winner of the upcoming All-Japan Amateur Shooto Championship will receive the opportunity to train at Evolve MMA in Singapore for a year.

Former Shooto champions Shinya Aoki and Yoshitaka Naito have both made the move to ONE and won ONE titles. More recently, Yosuke Saruta won the ONE straweeight title, beating Joshua Pacio at last week’s ONE: Eternal Glory.

See also:

ONE Reveal Lightweight Grand Prix Bracket