ONE Championship is now in its final stages of preparation for the upcoming world atomweight grand prix.
No less than ONE Championship CEO and founder Chatri Sityodtong announced the recent development when asked during a recent global media availability.
"We have signed seven of the eight ," said Sityodtong. "We are in the process of signing number eight."
The ONE chief assured fans that the inaugural women's tournament will definitely kick off this year and the final card will be announced around one to two weeks from now.
"Yes, it's happening. 100 percent, it's happening this year and we will announce."
It was October last year when Sityodtong first announced that the atomweight grand prix is set to commence in early 2021, but the coronavirus pandemic put constraints and delays on the tournament.
A controversial exchange between atomweight queen Angela Lee, who is currently on pregnancy hiatus, and No. 1 Filipino contender Denice Zamboanga ensued following the initial announcement.
Atomweight No. 2 Meng Bo of China was the most recent to join the affair and called out the Filipino fighter as well.
Nonetheless, the best way to settle the unfinished business is inside the Circle and the ultimate winner of the grand prix gets the chance to face Lee in a world title clash.