ONE Championship has confirmed that this week’s ONE Friday Fights 131 event at Lumpinee Stadium will proceed as scheduled, despite Thailand entering a period of national mourning following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother passed away peacefully last Friday at the age of 92 at Bangkok Hospital, as announced by the Royal Household Bureau. The country has since entered a year-long mourning period in her honour.
According to sources, consideration had been given to postponing or cancelling the event – as ONE did earlier this year following the Bangkok earthquake in March – but the organisation decided to move forward after consultations with Thai authorities and Lumpinee Stadium officials.
Friday’s card will now take place with expected adjustments to tone and presentation, as the nation observes mourning protocols.
The ONE Friday Fights 131 lineup is headlined by a flyweight Muay Thai rematch between Suriyanlek Por Yenying and Decho Por Borirak.
The card also features a number of rising young stars including Russia’s Rustam ‘Tomahawk’ Yunusov, who will look to secure a US$100,000 full-time contract when he takes on Petsukumvit Tomthungyai in the international featured bout.
The long-running weekly series, which began in January 2023, has become a cornerstone of ONE Championship’s partnership with the Royal Thai Army and Lumpinee Stadium – showcasing local and international Muay Thai talent every Friday night in Bangkok.
ONE Championship cancelled its March 22 edition of Friday Fights earlier this year following a 6.4-magnitude earthquake in northern Thailand that sent tremors through Bangkok.
This week’s event, however, will go ahead as planned.
The promotion is expected to observe an official tribute to Her Majesty The Queen Mother during the broadcast, which airs live from 7:30pm local time on Channel 7HD and globally via YouTube and other platforms.