‘A Fight That Easily Ends’ – Shimon Yoshinari Eyes Explosive Finish Against Ramadan Ondash
The threshold between an emerging contender and a global superstar is only crossed when the stakes are absolute. For #4-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Shimon Yoshinari, that defining leap arrives in the 2026-2027 ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinals at The Inner Circle 38.
The Japanese standout begins his tournament campaign against #5-ranked Ramadan “The Scorpion” Ondash on Friday, November 13. The marquee clash goes down inside Bangkok’s hallowed Lumpinee Stadium, streaming exclusively for members on live.onefc.com.
Shimon’s career-defining opportunity was built securely on the foundation of a flawless 6-0 promotional run. The 22-year-old striking savant secured a life-changing six-figure contract and put the global roster on notice by systematically picking apart Suablack Tor Pran49 in the second round at ONE SAMURAI 3 just this past September.
That clinical finish secured his spot in the most prestigious tournament in Muay Thai history. Ahead of his return, the surging flyweight detailed his mindset, the loaded bracket, and the dangerous Lebanese striker standing directly in his path.
Carrying The Flag For Japan
Sharing a lineage with reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka Yoshinari means living with relentless comparisons. However, Shimon has never looked at his teammate and cousin — widely considered one of the sport’s pound-for-pound best — as a reason to feel overshadowed.
Instead of feeling any burden from Nadaka’s incredible success, Shimon uses it as a constant source of inspiration to forge a legacy that belongs solely to him.
He told onefc.com:
“I’m not jealous. You have to understand that Nadaka has won Rajadamnern and has a lot of belts. When it comes to his achievements, they were superior to mine at the moment he came to ONE.”
That relentless drive to forge his own identity now brings him to one of the most stacked striking fields ever assembled in “the art of eight limbs.”
While capturing the tournament silver belt and 26 pounds of undisputed gold remains Shimon’s ultimate prize, his fiercest motivation stems from profound national pride.
The Yokohama native added:
“I got selected as a Japanese representative, so I have to show the strength of Japan. I also want to show the strength of a member of Eiwa Sports Gym and win this championship.”
The Path To The Flyweight Silver Belt
Earning a place in this highly touted eight-man bracket stands as the ultimate validation of Shimon’s rapid rise through the ranks. Every competitor is hunting the exact same achievement, including reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Asadula “The Dagestan Ninja” Imangazaliev, who defends his belt in a quarterfinal rematch against Aslamjon “El Pantera” Ortikov at The Inner Circle 39 on November 20.
The sheer magnitude of this moment might overwhelm others, yet the Japanese striker maintains the quiet, icy confidence he has always carried onto the global stage.
Shimon noted:
“All the fighters in this tournament are very strong, but I have a lot of confidence to win, so the pressure I have is no different from other fights.”
As exhilarating as his showdown with Ondash promises to be, Shimon cannot help but glance at what awaits the winner in the next round.
Former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and former bantamweight Muay Thai king Nong-O Hama anchor the main event in another high-stakes quarterfinal matchup. While fighting either legend would instantly mark the biggest match of his life, Shimon admits one name carries slightly more appeal.
The Eiwa Sports Gym affiliate offered:
“Both work. It can be either Rodtang or Nong-O, but fighting Rodtang would be more entertaining.”
Severing The Scorpion’s Stinger
As much as he openly welcomes a dream clash with Rodtang, Shimon remains entirely focused on the immediate threat at hand. He cannot afford a single lapse in concentration against a wild card like Ondash, who plans to turn the bracket completely upside down with his earth-shattering power.
Given their mutual penchant for high-volume striking and controlled aggression, many fans view this as a tactical clash between mirror images. However, Shimon strongly begs to differ.
The Japanese phenom declared:
“What I am superior in compared to Ramadan is everything other than speed.
“When you talk about what separates me from him, or what’s different between us, I’d say everything. I don’t see anything similar between him and me.”
That unwavering confidence stems not just from deep-rooted self-belief, but from the unseen hours of preparation he has logged to reach this exact moment.
Shimon fully embraces the massive stakes at hand on November 13, yet he treats “The Scorpion” as simply another hurdle to clear in pursuit of his ultimate martial arts dream.
He concluded:
“Ramadan has his speed, his power, and he is dangerous. But if I can execute what I have trained for in this fight, I’m going to be the one who has the advantage.
“If I can do what I have planned, it will be a fight that easily ends.”
