5 Burning Questions Ahead Of ONE 173: Superbon Vs. Noiri in Japan
Tokyo’s iconic Ariake Arena will become the epicenter of the martial arts world on Sunday, November 16, as ONE Championship heads to the land of the rising sun for its biggest spectacle yet.
ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri will host five World Title fights spanning MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing, featuring a star-studded lineup that will crown new kings and settle long-standing rivalries.
From Japanese heroes seeking glory on home soil to global warriors chasing greatness, the stakes have never been higher as the world’s largest martial arts organization offers fans a stacked 17-bout fight card.
With so much World Championship gold up for grabs and compelling storylines surrounding several matchups, here are five burning questions that will be answered when the Circle door closes this Sunday.
#1 Can Team Japan Score A Clean Sweep Of Gold?
Three Japanese superstars will compete in World Title bouts at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri, and the entire nation will be holding its breath to see if the trio can walk away with all the gold up for grabs on fight night.
Leading the charge, ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri will face the daunting task of trying to unify the division’s throne with reigning king Superbon.
After a stunning comeback knockout over ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai at ONE 172 this past March, Noiri will fight in front of his home crowd in Tokyo looking to make it back-to-back wins against Thailand’s finest strikers.
In the co-main event, ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu will aim to ace his first test as the newly crowned divisional king when he welcomes reigning strawweight MMA titleholder Joshua “The Passion” Pacio to his weight bracket.
The Tribe Tokyo MMA product has been in the best form of his career, and he’ll need to bring his well-rounded skills into the Japanese capital to derail Pacio’s dream of two-division glory.
Last but not least, 10-time Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka will collide with Thai slugger Numsurin Chor Ketwina for the chance to become the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion.
The 24-year-old is riding an insane 39-fight winning streak. But Numsurin — unbeaten under the ONE banner with a perfect 6-0 record — brings dangerous power and the hunger of a fighter with nothing to lose.
#2 Can Nong-O Be The One To Stop ‘The Iron Man’?
The vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship will be on the line when two of Thailand’s greatest strikers — Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and Nong-O Hama — go to war in an all-Thai classic that should deliver fireworks.
Rodtang, the division’s former ruler who lost his crown on the scales last year, will return to action after shutting down Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa in just 80 seconds.
Rodtang’s hunger to reclaim the coveted 26 pounds of gold burns bright, and the passionate Japanese crowd — who has embraced him like one of their own — will provide the fuel for another explosive performance.
But standing across from “The Iron Man” at ONE 173 is former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O, who will seek to carve another legendary chapter in his storied career.
The striking icon ruled over bantamweight for 1,526 days with seven successful World Title defenses. Since making a permanent switch to flyweight earlier this year, the Thai legend has proven he still packs the technical brilliance, devastating kicks, and pedigree that make him one of the sport’s most decorated competitors.
Furthermore, this isn’t just an ordinary fight for both men. The brotherly bond and the respect and love these two titans share will be put aside to treat the raucous crowd to a thriller in Tokyo.
#3 Can Takeru Stay Focused On The Road To Redemption?
After suffering a painful defeat to Rodtang in Saitama earlier this year, Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa faces a critical test of his mental fortitude and World Championship ambitions.
At ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri, the Japanese kickboxer will return to action against Bosnian-Canadian veteran Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric in a flyweight kickboxing clash.
This fight could reveal whether Takeru still possesses the focus and determination that made him one of the sport’s most feared technicians.
Takeru has stood in the shadows of his heartbreaking loss to Rodtang for months. “Natural Born Krusher” has stated multiple times that he wants another go at the Thai megastar. But could he be overlooking the dangerous Puric?
Or has the painful sting of defeat humbled Takeru enough to rekindle his fire?
Takeru’s credentials remain undeniable. He’s a former three-division K-1 World Champion and one of his nation’s most accomplished kickboxers. But Puric has spent his entire career as a spoiler who thrives when facing bigger names, and he’ll definitely fancy a chance to secure an upset for the ages.
#4 How Will Nabil Anane Look As A Featherweight?
All eyes will be on whether reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane can replicate his success at featherweight come ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri.
The Algerian-Thai sensation has used his massive 6-foot-4 frame to terrorize every opponent in the 145-pound division, including Nico “King of the North” Carrillo and “The Kicking Machine” Superlek.
His towering reach, unorthodox striking patterns, and ability to control range have been a sight to behold. But stepping up to featherweight in bigger gloves against former K-1 Champion Hiromi Wajima is a completely different test altogether.
Wajima arrives as a promotional newcomer hungry to make a statement, and he will be looking to test himself against the 21-year-old Anane.
At featherweight, opponents are naturally bigger, stronger, and more equipped to handle Anane’s long and rangy style.
The move to featherweight may unlock even more devastating power for the Algerian-Thai while preserving his technical advantages, but it could also expose vulnerabilities that smaller opponents couldn’t exploit.
#5 Is Stamp The Same Fighter She Was Two Years Ago?
Thai megastar Stamp Fairtex returns to action for the first time in a little over two years when she faces former K-1 Champion Kana “Krusher Queen” Morimoto in an atomweight kickboxing tiff.
The biggest uncertainty surrounding the organization’s only three-sport World Champion has nothing to do with her skills, experience, or World Championship pedigree. The surgically repaired knee that kept Stamp sidelined since 2023 remains the primary concern.
Now, nearly 26 months removed from her last fight, Stamp will face a dangerous opponent who specializes in high-volume output, which is exactly the type of fighter who could exploit any lingering weakness in the Thai’s recovered leg.
Stamp’s resume remains impressive at this juncture. She’s a former ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion, and the former ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion.
The talent, technique, and fighting spirit that made her a three-sport queen haven’t disappeared during the layoff. But nearly two years away from elite-level competition, combined with a taxing recovery period, have admittedly put a dent in her usual confidence.
The Tokyo crowd at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri will be thrilled to witness Stamp’s trademark dance to the Circle once again in a performance they’ve been waiting two years for.
