‘He’s Good At Everything’ – Masaaki Noiri Braces For Complete Test In Mohammad Siasarani At ONE SAMURAI 4
Reinvention runs through every chapter of former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri‘s career. Few would have bet on the Japanese superstar after a 0-2 start in ONE Championship, yet he clawed his way back to claim 26 pounds of gold in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Each detour has only sharpened his resolve. Now, his quest to reclaim what was once his continues against Mohammad Siasarani in the semifinals of the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament at ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17, broadcasting live from Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.
Noiri’s path to the final four ran directly through an old wound. In the main event of ONE SAMURAI 2 this past August, he finally settled the score with Liu “Spirit Dragon” Mengyang, crumpling the man who beat him in 2024 with a crushing first-round knockout.
Yet as spectacular as that finish was, Noiri was not the only one to bring the house down that night. In the match prior, Siasarani needed just 87 seconds to annihilate Kaito with a picture-perfect head kick that was quickly replayed around the world.
The former two-division K-1 Champion admitted:
“Siasarani versus Kaito was pretty shocking. Honestly I’d expected Siasarani to probably win by decision again, but I never expected it to end in the first round like that, with one shot.
“His range and distance are excellent, and I’d always pictured him as a guy who’s really strong at winning by decision, but the fact that he also has the ability to finish someone with one shot made me realize he’s a guy who has all of that.”
On paper, they could not be more different. Noiri is a fearless pressure fighter, with all three of his ONE victories ending inside the distance. The Iranian, meanwhile, is as durable as he is precise, comfortable weathering heavy storms before ruthlessly striking back.
That winning formula has carried him through six straight victories. Tellingly, Siasarani has also defeated Liu and Sitthichai “Killer Kid” Sitsongpeenong — the two men responsible for Noiri’s early promotional defeats.
Against a fighter who can flip a fight in a single exchange, Noiri knows one tactical lapse could cost him everything.
The Team Vasileus standout explained:
“Siasarani’s fighting style is just really skillful. I get the impression he’s always fighting with his head, thinking things through.
“When it comes to scoring points too, he can properly rack up points across all three rounds and win on the scorecards, or, like last time, he can finish someone with one shot too. He’s just good at everything, an all-around skilled fighter.”
Noiri, though, has never been one to stay down. The win over Liu was his first outing since losing his interim crown, and he responded with a statement finish that earned him a hefty performance bonus.
Moments like that are exactly why he fights. Few feelings rival a hometown arena erupting after a knockout, and for him, it makes every grueling sacrifice worth it.
The Nagoya native said:
“My theme in doing this sport has always been, ‘grow a little more than I did yesterday and show a Masaaki Noiri who’s even more evolved than in the last fight.’
“I made a pretty strong impact last time, and I have to top that impact because I really hate staying stagnant. I want people to look at me and go, ‘Whoa, Noiri’s still evolving, even at this age.’”
Noiri Sees A Dream Showdown On The Horizon
Revenge over Liu Mengyang was only the first step for Masaaki Noiri, and the ultimate reward at the end of this bracket could not be more personal.
The tournament winner earns a guaranteed shot at reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon — the man who denied Noiri undisputed gold at ONE 173 last November.
For now, though, the 33-year-old completely refuses to look that far ahead:
“I’m honestly not thinking about it that much. It’s a tournament format right now. It’s one event, one fight at a time.
“My next fight is Siasarani, and that’s really all I’m thinking about. I just need to properly get past Siasarani.”
Should he clear that massive hurdle, a tantalizing final could follow against one of the sport’s most decorated strikers. Former ONE World Title challenger Marat Grigorian faces “The Handsome White Dragon” Luo Chao in the other semifinal, and many view the Armenian powerhouse as the man to beat.
Like Noiri, Grigorian is a heavy-handed aggressor who relentlessly walks opponents down. If they meet in the final, a World Title shot would hang in the balance of a clash that needs absolutely no selling.
Noiri offered:
“My guess is Grigorian will come up through the bracket. Grigorian’s someone I’ve always wanted to fight, and if I don’t get past that, I don’t think I’ll have earned the right to get a title match.
“I still think Grigorian is the next contender, so by beating a fighter like that, I think I’ll make myself worthy of being a contender.”
