Cambodian channel MyTV has secured a deal to screen live broadcasts of ONE FC MMA events. Photograph: ONE FC website

Local TV channel MyTV and ONE Fighting Championship (ONE FC) have announced a deal that will see the cage fight nights of Asia’s premier mixed martial arts promotion screened live for Cambodian audiences.

MyTV, a free-to-air channel launched in 2003 aimed at providing original local programming to the younger generation, is owned and operated by Cambodian Broadcast Service (CBS), who also control Cambodian Television Network (CTN) and Cambodian News Channel.

CTN regularly features live kickboxing bouts held at its boxing arena along National Highway 5.

On March 15 last year, it hosted ‘The Best of ASEAN’ International Kun Khmer Boxing Tournament, which pitted six of the Kingdom’s top fighters against opponents from Malaysia, Thailand and Laos.

Unfortunately, ONE FC’s next regional mega-event, ‘Return of Warriors’, to be held at Stadium Putra in Kuala Lumpur on February 2 falls inside of the second official mourning period of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, with MyTV planning to delay its broadcast of the fights.

“We will replay this particular event at an appropriate time, possibly ten days after the end of mourning period,” CBS General Manager Bernard Anthony told the Post yesterday.

Nevertheless, the rapidly rising popularity of the sport is expected to see it gain a foothold in Cambodia.

“CTN and MyTV has always been at the forefront in bringing the best entertainment to the people of Cambodia and as MMA has gained a huge following around the world, we expect it do well here,” added Anthony.

Victor Cui, owner and CEO of the Singapore-based ONE FC organisation, was also confident about developing a fanbase in the Kingdom.

“Cambodians are fiercely passionate about their combat sports and ONE Fighting Championship’s broadcast with MyTV proves that this passion has successfully translated into mixed martial arts,” said.

“We are excited to be bringing ONE FC to every television household in the country all year long.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Dan Riley at [email protected]