‘Another Reason To Keep Getting Stronger’ – Nadaka Reveals Key Takeaways From Kickboxing Debut At ONE SAMURAI 3
Nadaka Yoshinari walked away from his first professional kickboxing bout with a victory, valuable experience, and an even clearer idea of where he wants to improve.
The reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion defeated Har Ling Om by unanimous decision in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 3 on September 12 at Yokohama Buntai, successfully navigating a new rule set while extending his remarkable unbeaten run to 42 consecutive victories dating back to July 2019.
For a fighter who has built his reputation through Muay Thai, stepping into kickboxing required more than simply changing the weapons available to him. Nadaka had to adjust instincts developed over years of competition while still finding ways to impose his own style.
Although the Japanese superstar had hoped to produce an even more emphatic performance, he viewed the experience as an important first step in expanding his game.
He said:
“Because this was my kickboxing debut, I wanted to show everything I have developed up to this point and close the event with my best possible performance. I was able to win, but I couldn’t perform the way I had envisioned, so I am left with a lot of frustration.”
Part of that frustration came from his inability to secure the finish he had envisioned.
Nadaka had planned to steadily break Har Ling Om down before increasing the pressure later in the contest. Instead, he found an opponent increasingly committed to defense, forcing him to think about another area of his game that will need development if he continues competing under kickboxing rules.
He said:
“My idea was to wear him down gradually and then finish him from the middle to the later stages of the fight. But from around the middle of the second round, he became very durable and defensive.
“It made me realize I need to develop the ability to keep pressuring and finish an opponent who is focused on surviving. I don’t just want to be able to finish someone in a sudden exchange; I want to be able to break down an opponent who is committed to defending.”
Those lessons extended beyond simply finding a finish.
There were also moments when Nadaka’s Muay Thai instincts naturally surfaced. Certain situations prompted him to think about attacks he would normally use under his preferred rule set, only to remember that his options were different in kickboxing.
Rather than viewing that adjustment as a deterrent, the experience gave him firsthand knowledge of what must change if he wants to become equally comfortable in both sports.
He said:
“Early on, I got a little rushed and tried to do something I would normally do in Muay Thai. I was told it wasn’t allowed, and I thought, ‘Right, of course.’
“There were several other moments where I thought, ‘If only this were Muay Thai.’”
Nadaka Sees New Possibilities Across Two Sports
There will not be much time for Nadaka Yoshinari to dwell on his kickboxing debut.
He is already scheduled to return at ONE SAMURAI 4 on October 17, where he will switch back to Muay Thai and defend his ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title against Rifdean Masdor at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
That quick turnaround means the memories from Yokohama will still be fresh when Nadaka resumes training. He believes that can work to his advantage as he prepares to return to the discipline where he has already reached the top.
Nadaka said:
“I will take a little time off, but I will return to training quickly. Training while the sensations from this fight are still fresh should make the work even more meaningful.
“I want to show something much better next time.”
The upcoming World Title defense remains his immediate priority, and Nadaka knows Rifdean will bring an entirely different challenge when they meet in October.
But his experience at ONE SAMURAI 3 also opened a door he now appears increasingly interested in exploring. Having tested himself professionally under kickboxing rules, the Japanese star no longer views competing seriously in both disciplines as an unrealistic ambition.
For now, that possibility can wait until after his next assignment. Still, the debut gave Nadaka another reason to believe his ceiling may extend beyond the sport in which he already holds ONE Championship gold.
He said:
“First, my October fight is already set. I know that opponent will come at me with everything, so right now I am completely focused on beating him.
“After that, there may be different opportunities, but the central thing for me is always showing everything I am capable of. After doing kickboxing tonight, I don’t think competing in both sports is impossible. I felt new possibilities for myself, and this fight gave me another reason to keep getting stronger.”
