5 Reasons To Watch The Historic ONE SAMURAI 1 In Tokyo On April 29
ONE Championship returns to Japan with a card that blends legacy and momentum in a way few spectacles can.
ONE SAMURAI 1, set for Wednesday, April 29, inside the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, captures a moment where past, present, and future intersect.
At the top of the bill, a legendary career reaches its final chapter with a familiar rival standing across the ring once more. Around that monumental clash, World Titles across multiple disciplines will be contested, elite combatants will look to cement their place in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and a new era in Japan officially begins.
The event also marks ONE’s long-term commitment to “The Land of the Rising Sun.” With that comes added meaning for every bout on the card, where results will shape not only individual legacies but also the direction of the series itself.
From emotional farewells to defining World Championship opportunities, ONE SAMURAI 1 carries multiple layers of high-stakes drama. Here are five reasons it is shaping up to be one of the year’s most compelling spectacles.
Takeru’s Legendary Career Ends With Rodtang Rivalry
Few fighters have defined an era in kickboxing the way Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa has. A three-division K-1 Champion, he built his legacy through relentless forward pressure and a willingness to meet every challenge head-on.
His career now closes against Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon, in a battle for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title. It serves as the highly anticipated sequel to their first meeting at ONE 172, where the Japanese icon was stopped in the opening round.
The result was decisive, but it left unfinished business that only a high-stakes rematch could resolve.
This time, the circumstances carry ultimate finality. Takeru announced this will be his last fight, turning the bout into a global farewell on the sport’s biggest stage. It is his final chance to rewrite the ending to his rivalry with one of the most dangerous strikers on the planet.
For Rodtang, being chosen as Takeru’s final opponent reflects the immense respect between them, placing the Thai megastar at the center of a defining chapter in kickboxing history.
Yoza Challenges Haggerty In An Epic World Title Clash
While the main event reflects on legacy, another World Title clash looks to dictate the bantamweight division’s future.
Former K-1 Champion Yuki Yoza has built unstoppable momentum since arriving in ONE. Dominant wins over the previously undefeated Elbrus “The Samurai” Osmanov, former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Petchtanong Petchfergus, and reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek have showcased his ability to adapt against elite competition.
This monumental run brings him to reigning and undisputed ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty, a striker known for pinpoint precision, timing, and ring control.
Haggerty’s ability to score cleanly and dismantle opponents has made him one of the most feared titleholders in the sport.
Yoza offers a contrasting, bruising approach. His Kyokushin karate background shapes a style built on iron durability, relentless pressure, and devastating kicking attacks. Those traits have allowed him to navigate high-level opponents while maintaining composure.
Competing in Tokyo adds another massive layer to the clash, giving Yoza the opportunity to claim gold in front of a partisan home crowd and establish himself as the undisputed king of the bantamweights.
Wakamatsu And Nadaka Defend Their Thrones Against Hungry Contenders
The card also features two Japanese World Champions looking to reinforce their absolute dominance against incredibly dangerous challengers.
ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu presents a terrifying threat. Known for his explosive offense and ruthless finishing instincts, he has developed into one of the most lethal mixed martial artists on the planet.
After a second-round TKO victory over Joshua “The Passion” Pacio at ONE 173 last November, he makes his second World Title defense against Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev, a surging challenger boasting a 15-2 record and 14 finishes.
Riding a six-fight winning streak, the Uzbek contender brings undeniable momentum into Wakamatsu’s backyard.
Meanwhile, ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka Yoshinari brings a highly technical style to the ONE ring that has earned him universal recognition. His ability to control exchanges and dictate the pace has set him apart throughout a staggering 40-fight winning streak spanning six years.
He now defends his gold against a familiar foe in Songchainoi Kiatsongrit, whom he defeated three years ago. However, the Thai contender has built incredible momentum since that first encounter, claiming 10 victories in ONE to make this World Title rematch a far more dangerous assignment.
A New Guard Of Elite Talent Rises In Tokyo
As one era comes to a close, a new wave of world-class combatants is firmly taking over.
Young phenoms such as 21-year-old Shimon Yoshinari, 23-year-old “Mister Pepper” Hyu Iwata, and 19-year-old Johan “Jojo” Ghazali represent the vanguard of the organization’s elite talent.
Shimon and Ghazali will collide in a flyweight Muay Thai bout that promises a blistering, high-paced striking battle.
The Japanese ace is on a four-fight winning streak and is widely viewed as one of the premier talents from Japan, alongside his cousin Nadaka. The Malaysian-American Ghazali is also riding a streak of absolute destruction and is ready to make a statement in enemy territory and silence the Tokyo crowd.
Meanwhile, Hyu faces Japanese veteran Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito in a flyweight kickboxing contest.
The bout presents a massive test for Hyu, who looks to maintain his spotless 13-0 overall record against a seasoned competitor who is a former Shoot Boxing World Champion and a RISE Tournament Champion.
Their rivalry and online exchanges have been years in the making, culminating in a clash that will define the flyweight division’s trajectory.
For years, established names carried the sport in Japan. Now, that responsibility begins to shift. Opportunities like these allow the next generation to prove they are ready.
The Dawn Of The Historic ONE SAMURAI Series
ONE SAMURAI 1 marks the explosive beginning of a broader, groundbreaking initiative in Japan.
The monthly series creates a consistent, high-level platform for both Japanese and international martial artists to compete while strengthening connections with the passionate local fanbase. As the first of a planned 60 events, ONE SAMURAI 1 lays the foundation for a massive long-term presence, where storylines can develop and epic rivalries can build over time.
For the athletes, that structure provides continuity and regular access to a global audience, which is essential for cementing a legacy.
Japan has long played a central role in combat sports history, and this series reinforces that connection by bringing the absolute highest level of competition back to a nation with deep martial arts roots.
The opening event sets the tone. What happens inside the Ariake Arena will establish the blueprint of excellence for the series in the months and years ahead.
