‘I’m Going To Do It Again’ – Mohammad Siasarani Plans To Silence Kaito Ono For The Second Time At ONE SAMURAI 2
Mohammad Siasarani has built his ONE Championship career by ruining expectations.
Whether entering a fight as the underdog or sharing the ring with marquee stars, the Iranian striker has repeatedly emerged victorious while climbing up the featherweight kickboxing ladder.
Now, he returns to familiar territory when he squares off against Japanese ace Kaito Ono in the co-main event of ONE SAMURAI 2, which emanates from Tokyo’s EBARA WAVE Arena Ota on Saturday, August 8. The event streams live on live.onefc.com.
Their rematch takes place in the quarterfinal round of the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament, where the eventual winner will secure a guaranteed shot at reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon.
Siasarani already owns one victory over Kaito, having defeated the former SHOOT BOXING Champion by unanimous decision in May 2025. But he insists this week’s contest is about much more than repeating history.
He said:
“To become a big name and prove that you are a good fighter, you have to defeat big names. I have already done that many times, and I’m going to do it again.”
Long before defeating Kaito, Siasarani had become accustomed to hearing that he was the outsider. His résumé includes victories over the likes of “Spirit Dragon” Liu Mengyang, Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, and “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut. In fact, that knockout performance over Nattawut earned him a US$100,000 contract and coveted spot on ONE’s global roster.
In many of those bouts, he was considered the underdog. Rather than taking offense, however, the 24-year-old embraced the label, believing it sharpened his focus and fueled the performances that transformed him into one of the tournament’s most dangerous participants.
The Iranian carried that same confidence into his first meeting with Kaito. While he respected the Japanese veteran’s accomplishments and expected one of the toughest tests of his career, Siasarani ultimately found his opponent easier to solve than anticipated.
Siasarani, who is riding a five-bout winning streak, recalled:
“I think I have had 11 fights in ONE, and in maybe seven or eight of them, I was considered the underdog.
“I love being in that position. I feel much better when people see me as the underdog because it gives me even more motivation to train and win. I like when people think about me that way.”
Kaito heads into this sequel with considerably greater urgency. The Japanese star tasted defeat on ONE’s global stage for the second consecutive time at ONE SAMURAI 1 this past April, as fellow tournament participant Marat Grigorian knocked him out.
Now, the face of SHOOT BOXING enters the eight-man field still searching for his first victory in the world’s largest martial arts organization and looking to erase two difficult losses. While Siasarani expects a better version of his rival, he believes emotion alone will not change the outcome.
The Iranian slugger said:
“He will come back better this time because he wants revenge. I think Kaito is going to train very hard. He is also fighting in his home country, Japan, and he has already lost two times in ONE. He knows he has to win now.”
Siasarani Looks Beyond Revenge Toward A Dream Fight
Although the rematch has attracted plenty of attention, Mohammad Siasarani insists his focus extends well beyond Kaito Ono.
Unlike his opponent, who views Saturday as an opportunity for redemption, the Iranian sees it as the first step toward a much bigger goal.
Victory would send him into the semifinals of the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament and one win closer to a World Title opportunity against reigning divisional king Superbon.
Siasarani said:
“I don’t really look at this only as a rematch. This is a tournament. I need to win this fight to advance to the next round, and then I want to reach the final.”
Capturing the tournament crown would also create the matchup Siasarani has envisioned for years.
The Team Mehdi Zatout representative grew up watching Superbon, later sharing the gym with the Thai superstar and developing into one of the featherweight kickboxing division’s fastest-rising contenders. Respect remains between them, but Siasarani says the friendship will disappear once the bell rings.
He offered:
“Superbon is a friend of mine. I have watched him since I was young, learned from him, and trained with him. I respect him a lot. But in this sport, once we fight, friendship and respect cannot affect the competition. All of us are coming for that title.
“I would love to fight him. It is a dream matchup for me, but I believe I am already at that level. Many fighters who were once my idols are people I have already defeated. Hopefully, Superbon will be next.”
