5 Things To Know About Kenta Iwamoto Before His ONE Debut Against Dante Leon At ONE Fight Night 42
Bringing a punishing, high-octane grappling style to the global stage, Kenta Iwamoto is officially ready to put the world’s largest martial arts organization on notice.
The 29-year-old Japanese standout makes his highly anticipated ONE Championship debut against two-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion Dante Leon at ONE Fight Night 42 on Prime Video. This blockbuster welterweight submission grappling contest goes down live in U.S. primetime on April 10 from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Built like an absolute tank and moving with terrifying, quiet efficiency, Iwamoto systematically grinds his prey down using suffocating top control and a body-lock passing system widely considered to be among the most technically refined in modern-day grappling.
Before the Japanese star steps onto the biggest stage of his professional career, here are five essential things to know about the man looking to completely shake up ONE’s submission grappling landscape.
#1 He Boasts A Highly Diverse, International Upbringing
Immersed in vastly different cultures from a very young age, Iwamoto possesses a worldview that extends far beyond the mat.
Born and raised in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, he took his very first steps in martial arts close to home. However, his formative years eventually took him far beyond Japanese borders. Living with his family in New Jersey in the early 2000s, he later spent time in Somerset, England, during his high school years.
That unique blend of international cultures left a profound, lasting imprint. Carrying himself with a quiet poise and eloquence that sets him apart from his peers, the well-traveled grappler applies that same sophisticated adaptability directly to his combat style.
Drawing from multiple disciplines and traditions, his grappling game is a direct reflection of a man shaped by the entire world rather than just one corner of it.
#2 Judo Forged The Devastating Foundation Of His Game
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was actually not Iwamoto’s first love. Long before embracing “the gentle art,” he first donned the gi inside his school’s judo club.
Operating in that traditional environment, his formidable stand-up game was forged in fire. Devastating throws, perfectly timed foot sweeps, and an almost ungodly sense of balance became the absolute cornerstones of his early development, making him a nightmare to take down and a highly dangerous threat on his feet.
Those fundamental judo lessons extended far beyond his aerial assault. Mastering the intricacies of weight distribution translated seamlessly into his modern takedown setups and suffocating top control, allowing him to apply maximum physical pressure with minimal wasted movement.
Beyond his physical dominance on the mat, Iwamoto also bravely spoke out about the physical abuse he suffered during those childhood judo years, igniting a vital conversation about athlete welfare that deeply resonated across the global martial arts community.
#3 A Borrowed DVD Permanently Altered His Destiny
Pouring everything he had into judo, Iwamoto eventually found that competing at the absolute highest level proved harder than expected. That entire trajectory shifted on its axis thanks to a single, borrowed DVD.
Looking to sharpen his student’s submission work and ground control, a local instructor lent Iwamoto a jiu-jitsu instructional video. The profound effect was immediate. Hooked from the very first viewing, the young martial artist obsessively drilled every technique he had just witnessed during any free moment he could find at school.
The transition felt incredibly natural. Because judo and BJJ share such deep, intertwined roots, the core principles he had spent years mastering translated seamlessly onto the canvas. What began as a borrowed piece of training material quickly blossomed into the most important discovery of his entire life.
#4 He Sharpens His Sword Alongside The Absolute Best On Earth
Iwamoto’s immense talent announced itself to the world incredibly early. Claiming the 2019 ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials as a mere purple belt, he delivered a massive statement that very few pundits saw coming.
Knowing that raw potential alone would not be enough to capture World Championships, he boldly stepped outside of his comfort zone. After receiving his black belt from legendary Japanese grappling figure Yusuke Honma, Iwamoto packed his bags and joined the renowned B-Team in Austin, Texas. Immersing himself in the elite camp, he absorbed absolutely everything the room had to offer alongside grappling icons like Craig Jones and Nicky Rodriguez.
Today, he strategically splits his training time between B-Team and IGLOO Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Japan, while also linking up with former opponent turned close friend Jozef Chen at his gym in Shanghai.
That immense wealth of cross-training experience paid massive dividends. Iwamoto went on to conquer the ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials two more times, in 2022 and 2023, firmly cementing his status as a dominant three-time champion.
#5 He Is Primed To Become ONE’s Next Global Grappling Superstar
Arriving in ONE with a massive chip on his shoulder, Iwamoto’s timing could not possibly be better.
The world’s largest martial arts organization currently boasts the most terrifying grappling roster on the planet. With ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo and his brother, ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo, leading the charge, names like Fabricio “Hokage” Andrey and Helena Crevar have rapidly risen to become massive fan favorites on the global stage.
While Iwamoto undeniably possesses the elite credentials and pedigree to make an immediate, landscape-shifting mark, some unfinished business comes first.
Dante Leon submitted him during their first meeting in 2023. On April 10, the Japanese star will finally get his chance to settle that bitter score and deliver a promotional debut the world will never forget.
