5 Reasons Why ONE Newcomer Nadaka Yoshinari Is Japan’s Biggest Muay Thai Star
Muay Thai fans around the world are anxious with anticipation about the ONE Championship debut of decorated Japanese superstar Nadaka Yoshinari.
On March 23 at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, the 24-year-old knockout artist will square off with Thailand’s Rak Erawan in an atomweight Muay Thai contest that’s designed to produce fireworks.
That bout will go down in Nakada’s home country at Saitama Super Arena and could mark the beginning of a new era for Japanese Muay Thai.
Already regarded as one of the sport’s best non-Thai athletes, he looks poised to take the world’s largest martial arts organization by storm. Before his highly anticipated debut at ONE 172, we take a closer look at what makes Nadaka such a special talent.
#1 His Impressive Amateur Pedigree
Well before he was a professional, Nadaka already had the makings of a world-class striker.
He won his first amateur title at just 11 years old and quickly asserted himself as one of the most promising young fighters to come out of Japan in years as he racked up more accolades and invaluable experience in both kickboxing and Muay Thai.
#2 He’s Been Fighting Thailand’s Best Since His Teen Years
What sets Nadaka apart from other non-Thais in “the art of eight limbs” is that he’s been competing against the best Thailand has to offer for essentially his entire professional career.
He made his pro debut at just 14 years old at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok and hasn’t looked back, consistently fighting and defeating Thais in their national sport – and in their home country.
That experience has shaped him into the top-flight striker that he is today.
#3 He’s Won Muay Thai’s Most Prestigious Belts Outside Of ONE
Nadaka’s award case is bursting at the seams with gold, as he’s won practically every major Muay Thai trophy outside of ONE.
In addition to boasting WBC and WMC Muay Thai World Titles, he is the only foreign fighter to ever become a three-division Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion and just the second foreigner to win both Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Titles.
#4 He’s Riding An Absurd Winning Streak
Nadaka will come into his promotional debut loaded with momentum and hungry to keep his incredible winning streak alive.
Nadaka has emerged victorious in his last 35 bouts – an impressive run that dates back to 2019. That winning streak has firmly established him as one of Muay Thai’s top pound-for-pound athletes and erased any doubts that he belongs with the best of the best in ONE.
#5 He’s A Proven Finisher
Despite competing in the sport’s lightest weight divisions, Nadaka has proven to be a devastating knockout artist with truly shocking power.
His record is loaded with highlight-reel finishes against elite competition. Notably, those knockouts have come from a wide variety of strikes, including flying knees, punches, elbows, high kicks, and body shots.
