5 Electrifying Reasons To Watch ONE SAMURAI 3 On September 12
The world’s largest martial arts organization makes its highly anticipated return to Japan as ONE SAMURAI 3 brings its thrilling monthly blockbuster series to Yokohama Buntai on Saturday, September 12, for an unforgettable showcase of combat sports excellence.
A generational striking icon headlines the card when ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka Yoshinari makes his promotional kickboxing debut, setting out on an ambitious journey to capture two-sport glory against dangerous Myanmar powerhouse Har Ling Om.
In the co-main event, former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu and hard-hitting South African Willie “White Lion” van Rooyen collide in a pivotal flyweight MMA showdown carrying serious World Title implications.
The bushido spirit is alive and well, with decorated regional champions making their debuts and hungry young phenoms looking to take the next step. Here are five compelling reasons why this is a night no martial arts fan should miss.
#1 Nadaka Makes Kickboxing Debut, Begins Road To Two-Sport Glory
A new horizon awaits one of the pound-for-pound finest strikers on the planet. Nadaka Yoshinari, the reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion, boldly ventures into kickboxing territory.
Near-untouchable across 41 consecutive victories, Nadaka has left fans and pundits utterly speechless. The only non-Thai to capture the Rajadamnern Stadium and Lumpinee Stadium World Titles, the 25-year-old has proven himself equally dominant on the global stage with a flawless 5-0 promotional record.
Most recently, he delivered a five-round masterclass title defense against rival Songchainoi Kiatsongrit at ONE SAMURAI 1 this past April. Now the Eiwa Sports Gym product sets out on an ambitious quest for two-discipline domination, determined to prove his striking genius extends far beyond “the art of eight limbs.”
But for that vision to become reality, Nadaka must first get past Har Ling Om. The 28-year-old Myanmar striker carries two wins inside ONE, and this represents the most significant opportunity of his career.
Armed with relentless forward pressure and raw physical grit, Har Ling Om brings a completely different challenge to Nadaka’s technical southpaw wizardry.
A successful transition launches Nadaka’s bid to join ONE’s most elite two-sport icons, while a stunning upset would instantly catapult Har Ling Om into the global conversation.
#2 The Next ONE Flyweight MMA World Title Challenger Could Emerge
Yuya Wakamatsu and Willie van Rooyen have both tasted defeat at the hands of reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev. Now they face each other, with a statement performance possibly putting the winner in line for a rematch with the division’s new king.
“Little Piranha” claimed the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title with a stunning TKO of Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes at ONE 172, then retained it with another TKO of ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio at ONE 173.
However, the Tribe Tokyo MMA product lost the belt to Kholmirzaev in front of a home crowd at ONE SAMURAI 1. Wakamatsu returns burning with desire to reclaim the belt, and his lethal right hand remains the single most dangerous equalizer in the division.
Across the ring, Van Rooyen looks to halt that comeback and firmly announce himself as the division’s premier rising force. The 23-year-old South African suffered a humbling first-round submission loss to Kholmirzaev in his ONE debut, but he responded emphatically. A third-round TKO of Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado at ONE Fight Night 41 confirmed the genuine depth of his ability and signaled the rocky start was merely a recalibration.
A victory over a decorated former champion would instantly put Van Rooyen within earshot of 26 pounds of gold, while Wakamatsu knows that defending his home canvas is the first essential step toward reclaiming the crown he once wore.
#3 Japanese Striking Phenoms Return With A Point To Prove
Shimon Yoshinari and Hyu “Mister Pepper” Iwata take center stage in Yokohama, with both young sensations carrying intense motivation to deliver defining statements in front of their home crowd.
Representing Eiwa Sports Gym alongside his cousin Nadaka, Shimon makes his first walk as an established contracted fighter after having earned a coveted US$100,000 deal following a thrilling victory over Johan “Jojo” Ghazali, a win that also extended his perfect promotional slate to 5-0.
He now faces his most demanding test yet in Suablack Tor Pran49 in flyweight kickboxing, a seasoned Thai veteran boasting 63 career victories and a sharp technical arsenal.
Meanwhile, Hyu returns on an urgent redemption mission. The 23-year-old from Osaka stormed through his first five ONE appearances with four ferocious stoppages before suffering his first career defeat in a hard-fought decision against compatriot Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito.
He now faces ONE debutant Hyuma “Star of the Shibuya” Hitachi with the singular intent of proving that setback was nothing more than a temporary blip.
With Shimon eager to prove his lightning combinations belong on the world stage and Hyu determined to close the chapter on his lone defeat, both young dynamos carry the immense weight of Japanese striking pride on their shoulders.
#4 Credentialed Japanese Champions Make Their ONE Debut
Hyuma Hitachi leads a decorated wave of domestic titleholders transitioning to the global platform when he makes his promotional bow.
The 28-year-old RISE Super Featherweight Champion brings relentless boxing combinations built upon a technical kickboxing base, and he steps straight into a baptism by fire against the equally dynamic Hyu.
Global fans will also witness the arrival of Yuta Miyazawa. The 32-year-old RESURGO MMA product captured the Pancrase Strawweight Championship this past March, entering his ONE debut riding a three-fight winning streak built on concussive hands and 17 career victories.
He steps straight into a formidable debut test against divisional mainstay Hiroba Minowa, who holds four wins in ONE, including a notable victory over former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Alex “Little Rock” Silva.
Both Hitachi and Miyazawa have conquered Japan’s domestic circuit at its highest level. Now comes the ultimate test of whether that pedigree holds at the very top of the sport.
#5 Japan Takes On The World In A Multi-Discipline Showcase
ONE SAMURAI 3 represents far more than an ordinary night of fights. It is a full-scale test of Japanese national pride, as the nation’s finest warriors converge for an intense series of international clashes.
Across kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA, Japan takes on the world at every turn. Nadaka faces Myanmar’s Har Ling Om in kickboxing, Wakamatsu meets South Africa’s Van Rooyen in MMA, and Shimon takes on Thailand’s Suablack in Muay Thai.
The battles continue further down the card. Ryuya Okuwaki meets Thai veteran Chokdee Maxjandee in an atomweight Muay Thai clash, while 20-year-old Team Teppen prodigy Kosei Yoshida chases his 10th career victory against dangerous Chinese striker Zhao Zhengdong in high-speed flyweight kickboxing action.
From the headline attractions down through the preliminary slate, Japan’s finest martial artists are ready to put everything on the line to defend their turf on September 12.
