Chatri Sityodtong is the founder and CEO of ONE Championship, one of the largest global sports media companies focused on martial arts.
He rose to prominence through a combination of business acumen and a deep passion for martial arts.
Chatri initially built a career in finance, working on Wall Street and managing hedge funds, but eventually found success when he founded ONE Championship in 2011.
His story is not only one of business but also of resilience, as he overcame significant personal and financial hardships before achieving his current position.
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- Full name: Chatri Trisiripisal Sityodtong
- Date of birth: February 1, 1971
- Age: 53 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Bangkok, Thailand
- Nationality: Thai
- Occupation: Businessman, boxer, CEO of ONE Championship
- Height: 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm)
- Parents: Not applicable
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Not applicable
- Child: Tyrus Sityodtong
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Not applicable
- Ethnicity: Thai-Japanese
- Net worth: 350 million USD
Early life and education
Chatri Sityodtong was born in Bangkok, Thailand on February 1, 1971 and is currently 53 years old. He grew up in a well-off family but faced a dramatic reversal of fortune during the Asian financial crisis.
His family lost everything and his father abandoned them. Chatri, as the eldest son, had to stand up and his early life was full of hardship, including times when he had to survive on $4 a day while studying in the United States.
He attended Tufts University for his undergraduate studies and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. Despite enormous financial challenges, including supporting her family and sending money back to her mother in Thailand, Chatri completed her studies.
He attributes his resilience to the discipline he gained from his early Muay Thai training under legendary Kru Yodtong Senanan.
Personal life
Chatri has always been private about his personal life, but it is known that he is married and has a son named Tyrus. His relationship with his mother played an important role in his life, as she supported him through the most difficult times, even sleeping in Harvard dorms when they could not afford a place to stay.
Although Chatri does not often share details about his marriage, he values his family, often mentioning his mother’s influence and support in his success. There are no records of divorces or extramarital affairs in his personal life.
Career
Chatri’s career began as an investment analyst for Fidelity Investments and later became a managing director at Maverick Capital. He founded his hedge fund, Izara Capital Management, in 2005. Despite his financial success, Chatri found his true calling in martial arts.
In 2008, he founded Evolve MMA, a chain of martial arts academies across Asia, and in 2011, he founded ONE Championship, which quickly grew to become Asia’s largest sports media company.
Under his leadership, ONE Championship has expanded its reach to more than 190 countries, broadcasting events that celebrate the cultural and philosophical roots of martial arts. The company is currently one of the top 10 sports media companies in the world by viewership.
prize
- – Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame (2019)
- – Asia’s best reality TV series, The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition (2021)
- – BJJ black belt awarded by Renzo Gracie (2024)
Net worth
Chatri Sityodtong’s net worth is estimated to be around $350 million. His wealth was mainly created through his ventures in the financial world and the huge success of ONE Championship.
His ability to combine business strategy with his passion for martial arts has made him one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the sports industry.
Argumentative
Like any senior figure, Chatri Sityodtong is not without criticism. ONE Championship’s rapid growth has sometimes caused skepticism about its financial sustainability.
Some critics have questioned the company’s high valuation, suggesting the promotion’s aggressive expansion strategy could pose risks.
Like many leaders in the mixed martial arts (MMA) industry, Chatri has had to deal with controversies surrounding pay and treatment of fighters.
While ONE Championship is often praised for its emphasis on martial arts values and fighter welfare, some fighters have expressed concerns about its pay structure compared to that of other organizations such as the UFC.
Despite these criticisms, Chatri has consistently defended ONE Championship’s business model, emphasizing its mission of elevating martial arts and its athletes rather than focusing solely on financial returns.
His charity work, especially his efforts to alleviate poverty and support disadvantaged children, has also helped maintain his positive reputation.
While financial transparency and the treatment of fighters remain topics of discussion, Chatri’s ability to bring ONE Championship to global prominence has earned him widespread respect, even among the elite. skeptic.
Social Media
- – Instagram: @yodchatri
- – Twitter: @yodchatri
