Taiki Naito’s Top 3 Wins In ONE Super Series
Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito has delivered nothing but exceptional performances since he joined ONE Super Series in 2019.
But in order to resume his climb up the ladder, the Japanese star will need to get past #4-ranked flyweight kickboxing contender “Metal Storm” Wang Wenfeng at ONE: FULL BLAST II, which airs on Friday, 11 June.
Before these striking dynamos face off in Singapore, get a taste of Naito’s skills by looking back at his top three wins in ONE.
#1 Scores Late Finish In OSS Debut
“Silent Sniper” made a huge impression in his first bout on the big stage when he stopped tough Kiwi Alexi “Phet” Serepisos at ONE: DAWN OF VALOR in October 2019.
The Japanese striker displayed his fluid combinations, stringing together punches, kicks, and knees to accumulate damage on his rival.
Serepisos limped to his corner following some thudding low kicks in round one, and though he tried to fire back in the second frame, Naito was always a step ahead.
In round three, “Silent Sniper” turned up the heat and decked “Phet” with an arching right hand. When the New Zealand native got back up, he was quickly swarmed with close-range punches and knees that finished the contest with just 15 seconds remaining.
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#2 Outstrikes Botelho In Strong Sophomore Outing
Just two months later, Naito stepped back into the Circle against Rui Botelho at ONE: MARK OF GREATNESS and picked up right where he’d left off.
The Japanese striker was seamless with his combinations on the front foot and showcased excellent defense when the Portuguese athlete tried to fire back.
With a reach advantage, Naito stayed true to his “Silent Sniper” moniker and fired off from distance, pounding his foe with jabs and front kicks to the body and head.
Botelho knew he had to go for broke in round three, but the Bell Wood Fight Team representative kept his composure, beat his rival to the punch, and never looked troubled as he cruised to the unanimous decision win.
#3 Sends Michael Down Twice In Huge Victory
In February 2020, Naito was matched up against burgeoning Cypriot star “The Baby Face Killer” Savvas Michael Petchyindee Academy at ONE: WARRIOR’S CODE.
Fans expected a close and riveting clash, and it was Michael who came out with the early initiative. He used his long frame to stave Naito off with his jab and then stabbed his knee into the Japanese athlete’s body.
However, “Silent Sniper” was unfazed and turned the fight on its head in round two. As “The Baby Face Killer” tried to step up his attacks, Naito slipped and dropped his opponent with a pinpoint right hand.
Michael came back with everything he had in hopes of landing a knockdown of his own, but Naito waited for his time to counter.
That opportunity came in round three, as he caught the Petchyindee Academy man coming in with a thudding counter-right and then sealed the lopsided decision win to push his ONE slate to 3-0.
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