What’s Next For The Big Winners Of ONE SAMURAI 4 And The Inner Circle 35?
ONE Championship delivered a blockbuster weekend of martial arts action, producing back-to-back spectacles with The Inner Circle 35 in Bangkok, Thailand, and ONE SAMURAI 4 in Tokyo, Japan.
The star-studded cards, which rocked Lumpinee Stadium and Ariake Arena respectively on Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, aired exclusively for members at live.onefc.com.
With both cards in the books, here’s a look at what could be next for the weekend’s biggest winners.
#1 Jonathan Haggerty Vs. Yod-IQ
Reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty added another spectacular entry to his highlight reel in Japan, stopping former divisional king Hiroki Akimoto in round three. The finish marked his third World Title defense and earned him a US$100,000 bonus.
With his kickboxing reign cemented, the British superstar has earned the right to reclaim his two-sport glory. That path runs directly through reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri.
The Muay Thai crown slipped from Haggerty’s grasp in just 49 seconds when “The Kicking Machine” Superlek knocked him out at ONE 168 in 2024. Though the Londoner has since become an untouchable force in kickboxing, “the art of eight limbs” remains his first love.
Even ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong was intrigued by the champion-versus-champion showdown at the post-event press conference. Yod-IQ, representing the next generation of the renowned PK Saenchai stable, would bring raw youth and momentum against a proven multi-sport king.
If that matchup isn’t immediately in the cards, fans would gladly welcome a rebooking with former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane. Injury previously scrapped their ONE 173 fight last year, and with mutual respect on both sides, the stylistic clash is well worth the wait.
#2 Nadaka Vs. Ryujin Nasukawa
Nadaka Yoshinari continued to set the gold standard at ONE SAMURAI 4 with a bonus-winning head kick knockout of Rifdean “Magic Boy” Masdor to retain his ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title.
The prodigious Japanese talent has blown past every challenger in his path, extending his staggering winning streak to 43 bouts and improving to a perfect 7-0 in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
While Nadaka has separated himself from the pack, his next test may have been teased at the post-event press conference. If it materializes, it would pit him against fellow countryman Ryujin “SHINDO” Nasukawa, the younger brother of combat sports superstar Tenshin Nasukawa.
The 20-year-old announced his arrival on the global stage with a second-round TKO of Thongpoon PK Saenchai in his promotional debut. That dominant showing proved he has the pedigree and youth to match the champion’s blinding speed and athleticism. He returns for his sophomore outing against Elmehdi “The Sniper” El Jamari at ONE SAMURAI 5, where another massive statement could officially seal the deal.
Nadaka, for his part, has already successfully tested the waters in kickboxing. He made a winning transition with a unanimous decision over Har Ling Om at ONE SAMURAI 3.
Still, the 25-year-old ace would love a more decisive finish after that first foray, and Ryujin could be the ideal high-profile opponent to draw out his full arsenal.
#3 Wang Junguang Vs. Jonathan Di Bella
“The Warrior” Wang Junguang pulled off the biggest shocker of the action-packed weekend, scoring a massive split-decision upset over reigning ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Prajanchai Pongsuphan PK in the Thai capital.
Six years removed from his last ONE appearance, the Chinese veteran rattled the former two-sport king with unorthodox techniques and heavy body work — completely upending the strawweight kickboxing ranks in the process.
That landmark upset over a divisional kingpin immediately vaults Wang to the top of the queue, making him a prime potential challenger for reigning ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella.
Their matchup would serve as a classic clash of styles, pitting Wang’s aggressive, chaotic pressure directly against Di Bella’s clinical, tactical approach.
A potential World Title shot would also give Wang the chance to settle some deep unfinished business. He challenged former two-sport, two-division king Sam-A Gaiyanghadao for the inaugural belt back in 2019 but narrowly fell short.
Claiming the gold against Di Bella would bring his grueling journey full circle and crown him as China’s next ONE World Champion.
#4 Johan Ghazali Vs. Rustam Yunusov
Johan “Jojo” Ghazali settled the score with fierce rival Diego Paez in the co-main event of The Inner Circle 35, showcasing patient execution and sharp technical precision to secure a unanimous decision victory.
The 19-year-old snapped a two-fight skid with the win, but the stinging losses that started it still linger. He would love nothing more than to avenge them against Shimon Yoshinari and Ramadan “The Scorpion” Ondash, but those rematches must wait. His former foes are set to meet in the 2026-2027 ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinals at The Inner Circle 38 this coming November.
In the meantime, there is no shortage of opponents aggressively calling him out, and the latest one shares a highly compelling history with the Malaysian-American phenom.
Undefeated Russian Rustam “Tomahawk” Yunusov boldly challenged “Jojo” after extending his flawless winning streak to nine earlier this month. Their heated rivalry dates back to the IFMA World Youth Muay Thai Championships, where Yunusov took a 2-1 lead in their amateur series. Ghazali, however, won their most recent meeting.
With Ghazali already publicly accepting the call-out, this potential high-stakes flyweight collision could bring the violent next chapter of their rivalry to the global stage.
#5 Itsuki Hirata Vs. Jihin Radzuan III
Japanese fan-favorite Itsuki “Android 18” Hirata continued her impressive resurgence on home soil, delivering one of the most controlled and layered performances of her entire career in a high-stakes rematch with Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan.
“Android 18” relied on perfectly timed striking and heavy takedowns to secure a unanimous decision victory, settling a bitter four-year score with the Malaysian standout.
With the divisional mainstays now tied 1-1, a definitive trilogy bout makes perfect sense. Then again, Hirata’s recent surge points even higher. She has gone 3-1 in her last four outings and could very well be knocking on the door of a World Title shot.
Another statement victory over fellow top-tier contenders such as Macarena Aragon or Magdalena “The Powerpuff Girl” Czaban could make her the clear frontrunner for 26 pounds of gold.
That trajectory would move her directly closer to the winner of the vacant ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title bout between Chihiro Sawada and Anastasia “Anniemale” Nikolakakos at ONE SAMURAI 6. Should Sawada win, Hirata would also get the golden opportunity to avenge an earlier loss with the ultimate prize at stake.
