5 Major Storylines Of The World Title Fights At ONE 173: Superbon Vs. Noiri
ONE Championship has held many historic events over the years, but ONE 173: Superbon vs Noiri is trending to be its biggest spectacle yet.
The world’s largest martial arts organization will bring 17 blockbuster bouts to the state-of-the-art Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, November 16.
A total of five World Titles will be up for grabs, where modern-day gladiators across multiple disciplines look to solidify their legacies in one epic evening of martial arts action.
Before sparks ignite in the land of the rising sun, let’s have a look at the major storylines for each World Title on the line at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri.
#1 Superbon And Noiri Clash For Undisputed Status
A king’s throne is never meant to be shared, and this dispute will finally be settled in the main event of the biggest combat sports event of the year.
Reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon will venture into enemy territory to face interim titleholder Masaaki Noiri in a clash that will determine the true ruler at 155 pounds.
Superbon is widely regarded as one of the greatest kickboxers of his generation, if not the best. After his appearance on Netflix’s hit reality series Physical: Asia, the 35-year-old Thai icon will return to the Circle to unify the belts and prove Thai fighters remain superior to their Japanese counterparts.
On the other hand, Noiri shocked the world by knocking out Tawanchai PK Saenchai to strike gold at ONE 172 this past March. The Team Vasileus representative wants to shed his interim tag by knocking out another of Thailand’s heroes and ushering in his reign as undisputed king.
#2 Wakamatsu Seeks Perfection, Pacio Chases History
The co-main event will feature a cross-divisional super-fight between newly crowned ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu and undisputed strawweight MMA king Joshua “The Passion” Pacio.
Wakamatsu endured his fair share of highs and lows before realizing his lifelong dream earlier this year, when he viciously knocked out Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes in March to capture the vacant flyweight MMA gold.
Now, the Tribe Tokyo MMA affiliate will seek to end the year on an even higher note by defeating a battle-tested challenger in his first ultimate test as champion.
But standing across from him is the greatest 125-pound fighter in the promotion’s history in Pacio. After multiple reigns and successful title defenses, “The Passion” will move up a weight class in a bid to conquer new territory and become the Philippines’ first-ever two-division ONE World Champion.
#3 A ONE Atomweight Muay Thai King Will Be Crowned
Two warriors from different paths will come together when Japanese Muay Thai sensation Nadaka Yoshinari meets Numsurin Chor Ketwina for the opportunity to be crowned the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion.
Considered the greatest Japanese Muay Thai fighter of his generation, Nadaka is already a 10-time Muay Thai World Champion with a mind-blowing 92 percent win rate.
The 24-year-old has captured Lumpinee Stadium and Rajadamnern Stadium belts, but still needs the most prestigious crown in striking to complete his collection.
However, Numsurin has emerged from the shadows to fully embrace his underdog status. The 30-year-old is ready to cash in on the opportunity of a lifetime by defeating a generational talent and joining Thailand’s most prestigious line of World Champions.
Both men are ready, and when history is at stake, fans can expect something special to transpire in the Circle.
#4 Rodtang And Nong-O Put Friendship Aside For Vacant Gold
In one of the most highly anticipated fights of the card, former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon will take on former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama in a bout filled with heavy drama.
Despite their initial reservations, these two legendary Thai fighters must put their personal friendship aside for a chance to win the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title — a belt that Rodtang had previously held.
Rodtang, who has become the face of modern-day Muay Thai, has always viewed Nong-O with deep respect and admiration. But to reclaim the same belt he lost on the scales last year, the 28-year-old megastar must cut through his mentor.
At 38 years old, Nong-O keeps defying Father Time. Having carved his legacy in stone during a dominant bantamweight World Championship reign, the Thai living legend reinvented himself at 135 pounds when doubters wrote him off.
But this could be his last chance at gold. That being said, Nong-O vows to give it his all, and do everything in his power to become a ONE World Champion once more.
#5 Lee And Rasulov Settle Unfinished Business
After their first battle at ONE Fight Night 26 ended prematurely due to an accidental eye poke, two-division ONE World Champion Christian “The Warrior” Lee and undefeated Turkish fighter Alibeg Rasulov will run back their epic rivalry in search of a definitive result.
For the Singaporean-American superstar, this rematch is a chance to prove that he is still the best lightweight in the world, retain his ONE Lightweight MMA World Title, silence critics, and hand the Turkish fighter his first loss.
Lee’s legacy is already secure at the age of 27. His 16 finishes stand as the most in ONE history, and his 17 wins match that of only Rodtang’s promotional record.
Meanwhile, Rasulov already showcased a championship pedigree when he dominated former champion Ok Rae Yoon at ONE Fight Night 23 in July 2024.
The Dagestan-bred warrior is determined to maintain his perfect slate and finish what he started by winning the richest prize in MMA. But beating Lee will be an even greater achievement in itself, and the Turkish star is determined to come out victorious.
