Canadian heavyweight Dustin Joynson (6-0) is stepping up his game after committing to a multi-fight agreement with Asia's premier mixed martial arts promotion, ONE Championship.
Carrying an unblemished record and riding a victory against Carl Seumanutafa at CFFC 87, the imposing 6'5" competitor from Victoria, B.C., has demonstrated he is primed for the following phase.
"We explored several options and I needed to ensure the deal was right for me," Joynson told MMA Empire in an interview.
"When Matt (Dodge Sports) brought up ONE, I was immediately interested and had no idea that path existed. Before long, negotiations were underway and everything came together, which put me in great spirits. I believe I match up nicely against the elite heavyweights in ONE, and I can't wait to begin."
At 34 years old and based in Singapore, ONE Championship mirrors Joynson's trajectory by consistently climbing toward the top of the MMA world over recent years.
In contrast to Western promotions, ONE's primary mission centers on promoting "values of integrity, humility, honour, respect, courage, discipline, and compassion." This philosophy has earned genuine admiration from fighters and supporters worldwide.
"Their standing among fighters is outstanding," Joynson noted
"The UFC is fantastic, but its influence runs strongest in North America, and it tends to market fights through controversy. Maybe it's my Canadian upbringing speaking, but I don't thrive on drama. By nature, I'm fairly laid-back and prefer not to engage in trash talk. At ONE, the focus shifts away from spectacle and toward elevating fighters to near-heroic status, creating matchups that feel like epic confrontations. Honor and respect take precedence over everything else, which is precisely what draws me to the promotion and what I anticipate."
A dream taking shape
Joynson began his MMA journey in 2012 with the universal ambition of capturing a championship belt in a premier organization. After years of dedication and sacrifice, the Canadian heavyweight will finally see those efforts rewarded when he steps into ONE's octagon.
"It still feels almost unreal that this moment has arrived," Joynson shared.
"I recall when I was just starting out, before even stepping into an amateur bout, I'd imagine how incredible it would be to compete internationally. My coaches used to tell me, 'Let's just focus on getting you a domestic fight.' Now I've reached a stage where I get to travel across Asia, and since I have family and friends in the Philippines, making my debut in Manila sounds absolutely thrilling."
While he hasn't yet secured a specific opponent or official debut date, Joynson mentioned he aims to make his ONE Championship debut by late February.
With a measure of financial stability now in place, he believes he can deliver peak performances.
"In every previous promotion, a loss likely meant no one else would take a shot at me. Securing a multi-fight deal with a major organization lifts such a weight off my shoulders. It builds real confidence," Joynson explained.
"Now the task is simple: stay focused, train intensely, and give everything I have, because I know I belong on the biggest stage."
