‘I Can’t Be Satisfied Yet’ — Nadaka Breaks Down Successful World Title Defense Against Songchainoi At ONE SAMURAI 1

The first World Title defense is where champions are truly forged, and Nadaka Yoshinari just passed this grueling test with flying colors.

At ONE SAMURAI 1 this past Wednesday, April 29, the reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion successfully retained his 26 pounds of gold, outpointing familiar foe Songchainoi Kiatsongrit by unanimous decision over five hard-fought rounds inside the historic Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

The 25-year-old entered the bout as one of the finest pound-for-pound strikers alive, carrying a staggering 40-bout winning streak into the ring. He delivered the victory, but Songchainoi made sure it was anything but easy.

The Thai challenger arrived with a score to settle, and his familiarity with Nadaka’s game made this rematch far more competitive than their first encounter. Songchainoi landed sharp overhand rights, grounded the fight in the clinch, and forced the defending king to earn every single minute of the victory.

While proud to retain his belt on home soil, Nadaka was candid about being caught off guard by his longtime rival’s evolution.

He said:

“This was my first title defense, and it was a rematch with Songchainoi, whom I had fought once before. Since I had won by KO in our last fight, I went into this with an image of delivering an even better performance and winning in a dominant, champion-like fashion.

“However, Songchainoi’s speed in entering and exiting, the speed of his punches, and the hardness of his bones were all more powerful than I had imagined.”

Songchainoi was a completely different fighter from the man Nadaka had stopped years prior. His speed, power, and timing were all drastically sharper, and the Eiwa Sports Gym product found himself barely slipping combinations that arrived with far more venom than anticipated.

However, Nadaka steadied himself in the championship rounds, leaning on his elite ring IQ to reclaim control. Though he walked away with his hand raised, the Japanese superstar acknowledged there was plenty left to work on.

He said:

“I took some hits from his punches, and they really hurt, and there were moments where I felt a bit discouraged. But that’s where my mental strength came in.

“I kept my spirits high, and despite the accident of being cut and bleeding, I’m proud that I was able to get back to the pace I wanted from the middle of the fight onwards. Still, I’m far from being a finished product, and this match left me with many points to reflect on.”

Nadaka Draws Inspiration From Takeru, Vows To Become Muay Thai Icon

Nadaka couldn’t watch the night’s historic main event from ringside, but there was no chance he was missing compatriot Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa’s crowning moment.

The legendary Japanese striker brought down the curtain on his career in the most poetic way imaginable, stopping Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon in the fifth round to claim the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title.

The Ariake Arena erupted, and Nadaka watched in awe from the back as his compatriot proved, one final time, exactly what it means to transcend the sport.

The atomweight Muay Thai king said:

“I actually had to watch Takeru’s match on a monitor because of my post-fight medical check, but I watched closely. I felt that a ‘superstar’ is someone who truly fulfills their role in the main event, draws the crowd in, and has the power to make the arena explode. That is why they are stars.

“Honestly, looking at my performance today, I don’t think I’m at that level yet. It made me realize I need much more skill.”

Witnessing Takeru exit professional competition on his own terms fired something up in Nadaka.

The 34-year-old leaves kickboxing as one of the greatest Japanese fighters to ever compete, and with Takeru gone, Nadaka deeply feels the weight of what comes next. Honoring the legacy of the “Natural Born Krusher” means raising his own standard every single time he enters the ring.

Nadaka concluded:

“For a fighter, it’s not about what you say, it’s about showing it through your performance in the ring. Seeing Takeru today, I thought he was so cool, and it made me want to become an icon for Muay Thai as well.

“Although I successfully defended my belt for the first time as a ONE World Champion, I know I can’t be satisfied yet. I need to change my mindset and my approach to become that kind of star.”