‘I’m Going To Make History’ – Rifdean Masdor Plots World Title Upset Over Nadaka Yoshinari At ONE SAMURAI 4
Rifdean “Magic Boy” Masdor has waited nearly half a decade to share the global stage with reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka Yoshinari, and he intends to make the most of the occasion.
The Malaysian knockout artist challenges the Japanese divisional king in the co-main event of the loaded ONE SAMURAI 4, which emanates live from the historic Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday, October 17.
Rifdean enjoys a five-fight winning streak, capped by a 94-second knockout of Javad Mozafari at The Inner Circle 19 that secured him the life-changing US$100,000 main roster contract.
There is no bigger way to introduce himself than through a World Title opportunity against the very man he has spent years wanting to face.
The Sor Sommai and Sor Kitrungroj warrior said:
“After seven wins in ONE Championship, I’m ready to fight Nadaka. I’ve genuinely wanted to fight Nadaka for a long time already. I’ve been closely following Nadaka for four years now.
“This fight is going to be huge because Nadaka has never lost yet, but I’m going to make him lose. I’m going to make history. I’m going to be the first person to hand him a loss.”
Indeed, since calling ONE Championship home, Nadaka has been nothing short of spectacular. A dominant 6-0 tenure in the organization has extended his active winning streak to 42 in succession, a run built over the past seven years.
Most recently, the Eiwa Sports Gym affiliate opened his kickboxing account with a striking clinic against Har Ling Om in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 3 in Yokohama, Japan.
Speed, power, and movement all factor into what makes the Japanese megastar the gold standard of the division, but his sharp tactical awareness is what truly separates him from the rest. “Magic Boy,” however, believes he carries the exact tools needed to solve that puzzle.
He said:
“Nadaka is very, very good. He’s a fighter who’s fast, smart, and strong. He has all of it, really. But I have power. Nadaka doesn’t have power. He only has speed and technical IQ. I feel like I can beat him with my power, but I shouldn’t go full power all the time. It needs the right timing and power.
“And a lot of people [have also said that] Nadaka has good IQ, while I don’t because I’m just strong at throwing punches and kicks. But I believe this fight against him will be IQ versus IQ.”
Given that read on the matchup, Rifdean is not predicting a quick finish from either side at ONE SAMURAI 4.
Despite owning five finishes in ONE, the 23-year-old Malaysian expects this one to require more patience than his typical night out, with the final decision coming down to small margins rather than a single decisive blow.
The Sarawakian slugger said:
“No one’s getting knocked out in this fight because I’m going to make it different this time. We can’t just fight him with brute strength. If we fight him with strength alone, we might get caught out. So, maybe this fight ends in a split decision.
“I agree with what people think of Nadaka. He is the best fighter in the world right now. But God willing, he’s about to fight the best too, Rifdean Masdor. If I win against him, I’m the best in the world.”
Rifdean Carries A Nation’s Dream With Him
Beating the ever-dominant Nadaka Yoshinari would do more than just hand the Japanese titan his first defeat since July 2019.
It would make Rifdean Masdor the new ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion, and only the second martial artist from Malaysia to claim the sport’s most coveted prize.
Earlier this year, Aliff Sor Dechapan made history as the first to do so when he knocked out the legendary Sam-A Gaiyanghadao at The Inner Circle 23. Three months later, “Magic Boy” is eager to give his country another milestone worth celebrating.
He said:
“I will bring that belt back for my Malaysian people. Then, after I win, I’ll bring the celebration back to Malaysia, for the people of Malaysia and Sarawak. If I become the Atomweight World Champion, I’d be so happy. It means that my dream would have come true.”
As massive as that accomplishment would be, Rifdean is careful not to treat it as the finish line.
In his mind, claiming the divisional gold would mark the beginning of something far bigger, and he already has a clear sense of what that bigger picture looks like for both himself and his country.
“Magic Boy” said:
“[If I become the World Champion], it will just be the starting point. It’s a journey to go even further, for me to step into the future. This is not just a belt. It’s an important [accolade] for us.
“We want to be the best on the world stage. But it’s not easy either. But if we get that title in ONE Championship, people will recognize us, and we’ll go far.”
