Flawless: Inside Shimon Yoshinari’s Undefeated Run In ONE Championship
At just 22 years old, Shimon Yoshinari has already assembled an impressive body of work in ONE Championship.
Shimon, a former WBC Muay Thai World Champion, owns an impressive 26-1 (1 NC) professional record, including a spotless 5-0 (1 NC) slate in his promotional tenure.
More importantly, those victories have come in different ways. The Eiwa Sports Gym representative has stopped seasoned Thai opposition, outmaneuvered World Champions, ripped through experienced contenders, and fought through a knockdown to prevail in the most dramatic contest of his ONE Championship campaign.
But now, Shimon braces for what could very well be his most difficult assignment yet.
The Japanese rising star will meet Thai veteran Suablack Tor Pran49 in a flyweight Muay Thai clash at ONE SAMURAI 3, which goes down live at Yokohama Buntai on Saturday, September 12.
Before Shimon attempts to add another victory to his dazzling record on home soil, revisit the six performances that have shaped his undefeated run in ONE Championship.
Making An Instant Impact Against Rittidet
Shimon introduced himself to ONE Championship’s global fan base at ONE Friday Fights 92 in December 2024, when he faced experienced Thai striker Rittidet Sor Sommai in a 134-pound catchweight Muay Thai tilt.
The Japanese debutant showed little interest in easing his way into the occasion. He mixed an elbow, a punishing knee, and a heavy right hook into his offense during a competitive opening frame.
Rittidet tried to turn up the pressure in round two, but Shimon punished that aggression with two counter left hooks that sent him to the canvas. After the Thai beat the count, the Eiwa Sports Gym product immediately resumed the attack with a right knee, punches, and elbows.
The referee had seen enough at 0:39 of the second round. Shimon left Lumpinee Stadium with a TKO victory and an emphatic first impression under the ONE Championship banner.
Outsmarting Yodlekpet On Home Soil
Three months later, the degree of difficulty rose considerably.
Shimon faced four-time Muay Thai World Champion Yodlekpet “The Destroyer” Or Atchariya in flyweight action at ONE 172 inside Saitama Super Arena, putting his skills to the test against one of Thailand’s most experienced heavy hitters.
Rather than accepting Yodlekpet’s preferred pocket exchanges, the Japanese dynamo made his physical advantages count. He used his height, reach, and measured footwork to stay at range while scoring with boxing combinations, low kicks, and knees.
Yodlekpet found some success attacking the body, but Shimon continued to pick him off from the outside and work effectively off his back foot. The unanimous decision win underlined his composure and tactical maturity against a vastly more experienced adversary.
Overwhelming Pettonglor In Bangkok
Shimon returned to Lumpinee Stadium five months later for his third promotional appearance against Pettonglor Sitluangpeenumfon at ONE Friday Fights 121.
The Thai veteran tried to close the distance and put his hands to work, but Shimon had answers at every range. His kicks disrupted Pettonglor from the outside, while his combinations became increasingly dangerous whenever the pair traded at close quarters.
By round two, the Japanese standout had taken over. His left hook repeatedly punctuated his combinations as he broke Pettonglor down, and the mounting punishment brought the contest to an end at the 1:06 mark of the frame for Shimon’s second TKO victory in ONE Championship
The result added another finish to a run that was beginning to gather serious momentum.
Momentum Stalls Against Tagir Khalilov
After three consecutive victories, Shimon returned at ONE Friday Fights 134 in Novemeber 2025. There, he went up against battle-tested Russian striker “Samingpri” Tagir Khalilov in a flyweight Muay Thai showdown.
Shimon took the initiative early, pressing forward while using his height advantage to attack from range. His kicks were particularly effective, with repeated shots to Khalilov’s lead leg forcing the Russian to adjust his stance and making it harder for him to establish his usual pressure.
That pattern continued into the second round, with Khalilov struggling to consistently work his way into his preferred striking range. But the contest then came to an unfortunate end when an accidental eye poke left the Russian unable to continue.
The bout was officially ruled a no contest, halting Shimon’s run of victories without putting a loss on his ONE Championship slate.
Returning To Business Against Dedduanglek
Shimon did not have to wait long for another opportunity.
A month after the unusual ending against Khalilov, he met Road to ONE: Thailand winner Dedduanglek Torfunfarm in flyweight Muay Thai action at ONE Friday Fights 137.
The Japanese technician controlled much of the action by catching Dedduanglek’s kicks and immediately answering with sharp right hands. As the fight progressed, he increased his output, pieced together combinations, and willingly engaged in the clinch.
By the final round, Shimon had established clear command of the contest. He outstruck the Thai veteran down the stretch to earn a unanimous decision and his fourth victory in ONE Championship.
Fighting Through Fire Against Johan Ghazali
Shimon’s fifth victory asked questions that none of the previous four had.
At ONE SAMURAI 1 this past April, he faced Malaysian-American teen sensation Johan “Jojo” Ghazali in a flyweight Muay Thai bout at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, with both young strikers looking to make an impression during the first installment of ONE Championship’s new Japanese event series.
Shimon controlled the early exchanges with his jab, but Ghazali dramatically changed the complexion of the match in round two. A jab-overhand right combination dropped the Japanese star for an eight count, putting his unbeaten promotional record under its greatest threat yet. The Kanagawa native responded in kind, flooring “Jojo” with an overhand right of his own.
The drama continued in the third stanza, when a thunderous low kick sent Ghazali down for another eight count. Shimon then managed the remaining exchanges from distance to secure a unanimous decision, improve to 26-1 (1 NC), and earn a coveted US$100,000 contract and roster spot.
Five victories have taken Shimon from an intriguing Japanese newcomer to an established member of ONE Championship’s global roster. On September 12, Suablack will attempt to become the first man to defeat him in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
