‘He Will Feel What I’m Bringing’ – Marat Grigorian Vows To Settle Feud With Kaito At ONE SAMURAI 1
The talking is done. For Marat Grigorian and Kaito Ono, there’s only one thing left – and it has nothing to do with words.
The former three-time Glory World Champion will go head-to-head with the Japanese star in a featherweight kickboxing showdown at ONE SAMURAI 1, which broadcasts live via pay-per-view from Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Wednesday, April 29.
For both men, their unfinished business has only sharpened the edge of what is to come.
Their original meeting, which was scheduled for ONE 172 at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena in March 2025, never happened, as Grigorian missed the featherweight limit by 0.75 pounds during the official weigh-in and hydration tests just a day before showtime.
Kaito refused to step into the Circle despite being offered a partial purse compensation and a catchweight bout. What followed was a war of words, marked by heated exchanges and harsh language, which only hardened into something genuine.
Looking back at it all, the 34-year-old Armenian knockout artist has no regrets about a single word he said:
“I said what I felt I needed to say at that moment. For me, the warrior mentality means stepping up no matter what. But things are different now because we’re finally going to settle it in the ring. Words don’t matter anymore. Action does.”
Both men have stayed busy in the months that followed.
Kaito steps into this clash riding a three-bout winning streak, most recently defeating the legendary Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong outside the world’s largest martial arts organization. He also vacated the RISE Middleweight Title and Shoot Boxing Welterweight Championship.
Grigorian, meanwhile, is coming off back-to-back wins. Most recently, he put another rivalry to bed when he outpointed former three-time K-1 Champion Rukiya “Demolition Man” Anpo at ONE 173 in Tokyo last November.
Grigorian’s return to “The Land of the Rising Sun” also carries its own significance.
The Armenian has built himself into one of the most beloved foreign fighters that Japanese audiences have embraced, and the affection is mutual. The fact that he is competing against a hometown favorite changes nothing, too.
He said:
“It’s the home of the sport. I’m happy to see it come back in a big way with this ONE SAMURAI 1 card. Japan is where legends are made, and being part of this event is something special.
“It’s his home. He’ll have a lot of fans, but I don’t focus on that. The love and support I get in Japan is always incredible. It’s hard to describe it, but I can’t wait to experience that again.”
The crowd in Tokyo will not be a problem. Neither, in Grigorian’s mind, will the man standing across from him.
For all the noise surrounding this showdown, the Armenian has stayed locked on the only thing that has ever mattered to him in this match. Not the venue, not the audience, and not the talking. Only the moment the bell rings.
The former ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title challenger added:
“He’s younger and hungry, and he wants to prove himself. That’s good, I respect that. But on April 29, we’ll see the difference. I don’t need to talk too much. We just have to fight.
“I’ll keep my prediction to myself. But I can tell you, he will feel what I’m bringing into this fight by the first round. This is [going to be] more than just a win. Fighting and winning in Japan – that’s special.”
The Blueprint Is Ready
Marat Grigorian has done his homework on Kaito Ono. He has watched the latest wins and studied the Japanese athlete’s promotional debut loss to Mohammad Siasarani at ONE Friday Fights 109 in May 2025.
While most fighters in his position would lean hard on a defeat to score easy points in the build-up, the Hemmers Gym affiliate has gone in the opposite direction. He is keeping it respectful and keeping the focus where it belongs.
Grigorian said:
“It wasn’t his best performance. That was clear in that fight. But I don’t focus too much on that. I focus on myself, and I’m a very different kind of fighter than what he’s used to. Besides, with my experience, I don’t look at just one moment. I study patterns.
“Once I find the openings, I know the fight will go my way. Against Rukiya Anpo, I stayed patient and waited for the right moments before breaking him down. Kaito is also tall, but he’s less powerful. I’ll adapt and take control when the time is right.”
A statement performance over Kaito would do more than just settle the score and earn him his 70th career win. It would solidify Grigorian’s place at the front of the queue for the one belt that has eluded him in his legendary career.
He has competed for the division’s ultimate prize twice, but unfortunately, came up short both times. The hunger to book another crack at the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship, currently in Superbon‘s possession, has never been stronger.
The Armenian veteran shared:
“If I dominate, there’s only one fight that makes sense: Superbon. No more questions. I’m in my prime right now. This is the moment where everything comes together.
“I believe I deserve that shot. I’ve fought everyone at the top. As long as I stay healthy and everything is going well, I’ll keep pushing myself to the limit.”
