“You’re fueled properly” - Rich Franklin says ONE Championship athletes perform better because they are fully hydrated

Mixed martial arts legend and ONE Championship vice president Rich Franklin says that one of the biggest reasons fighters in the world's largest martial arts organization produce more knockouts and finishes compared to other promotions is because athletes are at their physical best.

ONE Championship many years ago outlawed the dangerous practice of dehydration to gain weight by implementing a strict hydration testing protocol that encourages athletes to compete in their natural weight division.

Speaking to MMA legend 'Mighty Mouse' Demetrious Johnson on his Mighty Cast YouTube show, Franklin talked about that weigh-in and hydration system and why it has been so pivotal for the promotion.

The former UFC champion said:

"I believe that’s part of the reason why the fights that we have are high-paced, [with] good finish rates is because athletes can perform at their highest levels and not come off a dehydrated state of being."

Franklin added:

"[I think that is one of the biggest obstacles or challenges for ONE Championship] is making the athletes understand that it doesn’t really matter in the end. Like, this is just a Tuesday night, you’re fully hydrated, you’re fed, you’re fueled properly so you can output."

---

Rich Franklin says ONE Championship could hit other states soon: "We'll get there"

Fans who crave ONE Championship martial arts action need not worry, according to Rich Franklin.

The world's largest martial arts organization is eyeing many different major cities in North America, as its rule set has been approved, teased the MMA legend. He told Mighty Cast:

"We’re not in Florida yet, but we’ll get there. I have a list of about eight states that have approved the rule set. Anytime I’m talking to somebody and if you’re a spectator watching the sport, the elephant in the room when you’re talking about fighter safety with commissions or whatever is the knees to the head of a grounded opponent. It all boils down to that."