‘A Knockout In The Third’ — Ryohei Kurosawa Eyes Late Finish Against Bokang Masunyane At ONE Fight Night 39
Momentum can be a powerful weapon, and Ryohei Kurosawa plans to wield his like a sledgehammer when he faces Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane at ONE Fight Night 39: Rambolek vs. Dayakaev on Prime Video.
The 32-year-old Japanese mixed martial artist returns for this strawweight MMA battle inside Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, January 23, live in U.S. primetime. Kurosawa brings a six-fight winning streak that includes three knockouts.
His confidence sits at an all-time high after he enjoyed a successful promotional debut against Filipino standout Jayson “Dumagmang Warrior” Miralpez last September.
Now he aims to extend his surge through the division while proving he belongs among the world’s elite 125-pounders.
Kurosawa told onefc.com:
“It’s a big step up. But I’m excited, and I’m ready. I’m prepared to continue winning. I’d say he’s one of the toughest opponents. He’s also constantly improved his grappling skills. So, that’s why I feel he will be tough.”
That preparation hasn’t been left to chance, of course. Alongside his coaching staff at The Blackbelt Japan, the 32-year-old has dissected every frame of Masunyane’s fight film and he has identified the South African’s most potent weapons.
The scouting report revealed a fighter who maximizes every physical advantage despite standing just five-foot-one, using explosive speed and timing to nullify taller opponents.
Kurosawa, three inches taller at five-foot-four, recognizes that height means nothing if the Coach Quan University affiliate drags him to the canvas. So, he’s built his entire camp around solving that puzzle:
“Bokang is really good with his wrestling and grappling, and he’s really fast. I’ve tried to find a similar-sized body type that is built like Bokang Masunyane for this fight camp.
“That’s where my focus has been. I’ve been trying to focus on similar movements like him, like I tried to match how physically strong he is on the ground.”
The game plan extends beyond a single focus, though. Kurosawa has studied his foe’s cardio patterns across three rounds, noticing a window of opportunity that typically emerges as a fight progresses.
If the Japanese technician can weather the early storm and survive “Little Giant’s” explosive first-round blitzes, he believes the path to victory becomes clear.
In fact, he’s already visualized how that path ends:
“In all of his fights I watched, he’s really quick. So I think I’ll need to slow it down a bit, maybe [in the first round]. From round two, I can overwhelm him and maybe strike him to finish him.
“I have an image of me knocking him out. That’s been on my mind. Maybe a knockout in the third round.”
Kurosawa Refuses To Overlook Masunyane’s Threat
While confidence radiates from Ryohei Kurosawa, the Japanese slugger hasn’t allowed his six-fight winning streak to breed complacency.
He’s studied Masunyane’s recent losses to Sanzhar “Tornado” Zakirov and Mansur Malachiev with the same intensity as he’s analyzed the South African’s victories, searching for weaknesses while respecting the dangers that remain.
What the 32-year-old discovered reinforced his respect for the challenge ahead:
“In both of his past [losses], he did pretty okay. Maybe if he had brought a better game plan, he would have won. I’m not underestimating him. I know he’ll want to win this fight, so he’ll come in with more than 100 percent focus.”
As locked in as Masunyane may be on fight night, Kurosawa isn’t arriving inside the Mecca of Muay Thai to survive — he will return for his sophomore outing ready to make a statement.
Above all, this fight represents more than personal advancement for The Blackbelt Japan martial artist.
He views this as an opportunity to carry his nation’s banner on the global stage and prove that Japan’s best can compete with anyone, anywhere.
Kurosawa added:
“It’ll be important for me to continue winning and representing Japan in the best possible way. I want to make my country proud, and the best way to do that is to get a win in this next fight.”
