3 Bouts That Could Steal The Show At ONE 173: Superbon Vs. Noiri
When ONE Championship returns to Tokyo, Japan for ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, fight fans around the world will witness history unfold at Ariake Arena.
Five World Titles will be up for grabs, headlined by the unification battle between ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon and interim titleholder Masaaki Noiri.
Each fight on this stacked card has the potential to deliver explosive fireworks. But there are a handful that could absolutely steal the show and bring fans to the edge of their seats.
Here are three bouts that could produce the most memorable moments of ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri.
#1 Takeru Segawa Vs. Denis Puric
Former three-division K-1 Champion Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa and battle-tested veteran Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric will square off in a highly anticipated flyweight kickboxing showdown that promises an intriguing clash of styles.
The 34-year-old Japanese superstar still carries the sting of his shocking first-round knockout loss to Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon at ONE 172 this past March. Combined with his narrow defeat to “The Kicking Machine” Superlek at ONE 165, Takeru hasn’t tasted victory on home soil in nearly five years.
The Team Vasileus standout is desperate to recapture the devastating form that once made him the most feared striker in Japan. His blistering hand speed and surgical body attacks threaten to test Puric’s incredible durability from the opening bell.
However, “The Bosnian Menace” thrives in these wars of attrition. The 40-year-old pushed Rodtang to his limit in a three-round barnburner at ONE 167 last year, absorbing everything the Thai icon could dish out before ultimately falling short on the scorecards.
Puric’s granite chin and knockout power make him a constant threat to end any exchange violently.
Both warriors need this victory to stay relevant in the cutthroat 135-pound division. With their backs against the wall and pride on the line, expect absolute carnage until one man falls.
#2 Yuki Yoza Vs. Superlek
Yuki Yoza and “The Kicking Machine” Superlek collide in a bantamweight kickboxing showdown that could produce the next challenger for Jonathan “The General” Haggerty‘s World Title.
The Japanese destroyer has been calling out Superlek for months, hungry to avenge his Team Vasileus training partner and good friend, Takeru. A victory over the pound-for-pound mainstay would be the biggest of Yoza’s career and prove that he truly belongs among the world’s elite.
Yoza’s crippling calf kicks have demolished opponents during his perfect 2-0 start in ONE, but the 27-year-old will face his sternest test against his toughest foe yet.
Superlek needs this win just as badly. After losing his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship on the scales and being dominated by Nabil Anane earlier this year, critics wonder if the reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion has lost his edge.
The Thai superstar is determined to silence his doubters by dismantling another Japanese star in front of his hometown fans.
Superlek’s technical brilliance and tremendous versatility against Yoza’s punishing leg attacks guarantee an explosive striking battle in another epic Thailand versus Japan showdown.
#3 Marat Grigorian Vs. Rukiya Anpo
Bad blood will boil over when decorated veteran Marat Grigorian meets Japanese star Rukiya “Demolition Man” Anpo in a featherweight kickboxing showdown filled with animosity.
Tensions exploded at the ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri Tokyo press conference last month, when the brash Japanese star dismissed Grigorian as a one-dimensional fighter. The disrespect cut deep, igniting a fire in the normally composed Armenian veteran who vowed to humble the brash ONE debutant.
The 34-year-old former three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion is determined to prove that he still remains one of the best featherweights in the world today. Grigorian’s signature forward pressure and relentless punch-heavy arsenal will aim to overwhelm “Demolition Man” from the opening bell.
However, Anpo didn’t just claim his reputation by spewing empty words. The former three-time K-1 Champion arrives in ONE seeking vengeance against countryman Masaaki Noiri, who is the last to beat him in kickboxing.
After embarking on side quests against legends Buakaw Banchamek and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, Anpo will look to make a statement and announce to the world that he’s ready to achieve greater heights in ONE.
The clash of styles between Grigorian and Anpo promises non-stop action from start to finish. The Armenian’s aggressive rushes against Anpo’s length and versatility will produce fireworks until one man finally breaks.
The winner will be watching closely as Superbon and Noiri settle the featherweight kickboxing throne later in the evening.
