Hiroki Akimoto Vs. Taimu Hisai Added To ONE SAMURAI 1, Full Card Revealed
Former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Hiroki Akimoto will meet 20-year-old Taimu Hisai in an all-Japan bantamweight kickboxing showdown, completing the card for ONE SAMURAI 1 on Wednesday, April 29.
The matchup broadcasts live from Tokyo’s historic Ariake Arena, adding another compelling bout to the inaugural event of ONE’s new monthly series in Japan.
Akimoto carries a 28-4 professional record and 8-4 promotional mark into this significant hometown appearance.
The Power of Dream striker is a Kyokushin Karate technician renowned for explosive combinations that have dismantled opponents throughout his career. He launched his promotional journey in 2019, securing six victories in his first seven bouts to establish himself in the bantamweight kickboxing division.
His career-defining moment came in 2022 at ONE X, where he challenged reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Capitan Petchyindee. In a five-round war, Akimoto defeated the Thai to capture the title and become Japan’s first-ever ONE Kickboxing World Champion.
His reign was brief. In his next appearance, he dropped the belt in a close battle against Petchtanong Petchfergus. Two additional defeats against world-class opposition followed, raising doubts about his career trajectory.
Akimoto responded in 2025 with statement victories over former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John “Hands of Stone” Lineker and former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship challenger Wei Rui.
Riding a two-fight winning streak, he looks to extend that run in front of his home fans at Ariake Arena.
Standing across from him is a 20-year-old making his sophomore appearance on the global stage.
Hisai trains at Team Taimu and carries a 20-6 professional record into this bout after a successful ONE debut against Zhang Jingtao. A win over a former divisional ruler in his second ONE appearance would send an immediate statement to the division.
ONE SAMURAI 1 Full Bout Card
- Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Takeru Segawa (ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship)
- Yuya Wakamatsu vs. Avazbek Kholmirzaev (ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship)
- Nadaka vs. Songchainoi Kiatsongrit (ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship)
- Jonathan Haggerty vs. Yuki Yoza (ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship)
- Marat Grigorian vs. Kaito (kickboxing – featherweight)
- Ayaka Miura vs. Chihiro Sawada (MMA – atomweight)
- Hiroki Akimoto vs. Taimu Hisai (kickboxing – bantamweight)
- Hiromi Wajima vs. Ricardo Bravo (kickboxing – featherweight)
- Itsuki Hirata vs. Ritu Phogat (MMA – atomweight)
- Tatsumitsu Wada vs. Seiichiro Ito (MMA – flyweight)
- Keito Yamakita vs. Ryohei Kurosawa (MMA – strawweight)
- Shimon Yoshinari vs. Johan Ghazali (Muay Thai – flyweight)
- Toma Kuroda vs. Toki Tamaru (kickboxing – atomweight)
- Hyu vs. Taiki Naito (kickboxing – flyweight)
- Kanata Nagai vs. Atsubo Kambe (MMA – bantamweight)
