How Failure Shaped My Voice in Martial Arts

By Dom Lau, Ring Announcer for One Championship

As the ring announcer for ONE Championship, Asia’s leading martial arts promotion, I get to introduce incredible fighters to fans watching worldwide. My catchphrase, “Here We Go!”, sparks excitement in arenas, but it’s the failures behind that voice that have defined me. As a young presenter in Hong Kong, I rode the high of hosting music TV, thinking I’d made it until the industry started to shift. Those setbacks, from a changing media landscape to finding my place in martial arts, shaped me into the announcer I am today. Here’s how failure, woven with my love for fitness, determination, and Asian heritage, helped me find my voice in the ONE Circle.

VJ Dom Lau

The Changing Tides of Media

I started in Hong Kong as a teen model, wide-eyed and eager, before breaking into television and radio. Hosting for E! News Asia and Channel [V] was a dream come true, fast-paced and full of energy. I loved the buzz of music TV, connecting with audiences through pop culture and interviews. But by the mid-2000s, the industry was changing. Music television, once a cultural juggernaut, was losing ground to streaming platforms and digital media. Shows like mine were less in demand, and opportunities started to feel uncertain.I remember pitching ideas for new shows, only to hear “the budget’s gone” or “the format’s not trending.” It stung. I’d poured years into building my skills, but the ground was shifting beneath me. Those rejections felt like failures not because I wasn’t good enough, but because the industry I loved was evolving faster than I could keep up. I had to face a hard truth: clinging to a fading niche wouldn’t sustain me. I needed to pivot.

The Career Move: Finding a New Path

That uncertainty pushed me to reflect on what I truly wanted. I’d always been drawn to work that mattered, work that connected people and created impact, inspired by my childhood admiration for heroes who made a difference. I craved something more dynamic, something that aligned with my passions. That’s when ONE Championship approached me in 2017 to become their official ring announcer. They reached out to me directly, which was both exciting and daunting. Initially, I turned down their offer because I didn’t think combat sports was for me. My background was in music and entertainment, not the high-octane world of mixed martial arts (MMA). I had preconceptions about the violence of hand-to-hand combat, and I wasn’t sure I could fit in. But ONE Championship saw something in me, and their persistence gave me pause.

Credit : ONE Championship

After watching their events, I was struck by the superb athleticism, self-control, and honor the fighters displayed in the ring. I deeply admired their integrity - the way they showed profound respect for each other, bowing before and after matches, and their ability to leave the fight behind when the bell rang. These fighters weren’t just competitors; they were professionals who embodied discipline and mutual respect, qualities that resonated with my own values. Outside the ring, I was amazed at how down-to-earth  they were, further deepening my admiration for their character. This shifted my perspective and convinced me to take the leap.Still, the transition wasn’t seamless. I fumbled a few early attempts, misjudging the tone needed to hype a fight night. My entertainment background didn’t fully prepare me for the intensity of announcing MMA events. But instead of backing away, I leaned in. I watched hours of ONE Championship events, studied the sport’s rhythm, and practiced delivering introductions with the intensity of a fighter stepping into the cage. My determination, fueled by those early setbacks, kept me going.

Finding My Niche in Martial Arts

Landing the role as ONE Championship’s ring announcer was a turning point, but it was the failures along the way that gave me the tools to succeed. Martial arts became my niche - not just because of the job, but because it resonated with who I am. My love for fitness, and disciplined workouts, gave me the stamina to match the high-energy demands of announcing. I wasn’t just calling fights; I was channeling the same grit I saw in fighters, pushing myself to perform under pressure.

My Asian heritage also found a home in ONE Championship’s mission to unite Asia through martial arts. With my roots in Hong Kong and a mixed British-Asian background, I felt a deep connection to the cultural respect embedded in the sport. Pronouncing fighters’ names correctly became my way of honoring their stories, from Thailand to Japan to Myanmar. Early in my ONE career, I mispronounced a name during a live event, a small mistake, but it hit me hard. The fighter was gracious, but I felt I’d let them down. That failure drove me to double down on preparation, ensuring every name I say reflects the pride of its owner. It’s a small act, but it’s made me a trusted voice for fighters and fans alike.

Dom Lau in the ONE Circle

How Failure Shaped My Voice

Failure didn’t just teach me resilience; it gave me clarity. The struggles in a changing media landscape forced me to rethink my path, leading me to martial arts - a world where my skills, passions, and heritage could shine. Being approached by ONE Championship, despite my initial hesitation and doubts, taught me to trust opportunities that challenge my comfort zone. Those early fumbles in the ring announcer role pushed me to refine my craft and embrace the discipline of the sport.These experiences have made my voice more than a sound , it’s a reflection of my journey. When I say “Here We Go!”, it’s not just a catchphrase; it’s a nod to the failures I’ve overcome and the determination that keeps me going.

Dom Lau with MMA Champion Nong-O

Lessons for Others

Failure isn’t the end; it’s a guide. Whether you’re navigating a career shift or chasing a passion, the setbacks you face can point you toward your true path. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Embrace Change: If your industry or role is shifting, don’t fight it. Look for opportunities that align with your strengths and passions.

Trust Unexpected Opportunities: When ONE Championship approached me, I wasn’t sure I was the right fit, but taking the chance opened a new world.

Lean Into Passion: Find a niche that excites you. For me, martial arts combined my love for performance, fitness, and culture. What’s yours?

Learn from Mistakes: Every misstep is a lesson. Use feedback to refine your skills and come back stronger.

Stay Determined: Failure tests your resolve. Keep pushing, and you’ll find your voice.

Final Thoughts

Failure shaped my voice in martial arts, turning a kid from Hong Kong with a mic into the voice of ONE Championship. The changing tides of media, the hesitation and stumbles in my career move, and the lessons from martial arts gave me a niche where I could thrive. Today, when I step into the ONE Circle, I carry those failures with pride, they’re the reason “Here We Go!” resonates with fans worldwide. If you’re facing your own setbacks, know this: they’re not stopping you. They’re shaping you.

Got a story about overcoming failure? Share it with me on Instagram (@domjlau) or visit domjlau.com for more on my journey. Let’s keep pushing forward—Here We Go!

________________________________________________________________________

Dom Lau is an award-winning presenter and the voice of ONE Championship, bringing over 20 years of media experience to the stage. When he’s not announcing, he’s a fitness enthusiast and family man passionate about meaningful work.