Jonathan Haggerty Vs. Yuki Yoza, Yuya Wakamatsu Vs. Avazbek Kholmirzaev World Title Bouts Added To ONE Samurai 1
ONE Samurai 1 opens with two massive World Title fights, further bolstering ONE Championship’s mission to restore martial arts glory to Japan.
On April 29 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, Jonathan “The General” Haggerty will defend his ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship against surging Japanese challenger Yuki Yoza.
Also on the card, ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu will defend his gold against Uzbek sensation Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev. They join the previously announced rematch for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title between Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa.
Haggerty stands among the promotion’s brightest strikers, having achieved two-division and two-sport glory during his incredible run.
The 29-year-old Brit has amassed 12 promotional victories against world-class competition. He notched memorable finishes over some of the biggest names in combat sports, including stunning stoppage victories over former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama and former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade.
In his last outing, “The General” successfully defended his crown against tough Chinese contender “Demon Blade” Wei Rui at ONE 171. He ended the challenger’s 21-fight winning streak with a five-round striking masterclass that resulted in a dominant unanimous decision.
Haggerty was scheduled to challenge ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane at ONE 173 last year in an attempt to reclaim his throne, but he had to withdraw due to injury. Fully healthy and hungrier than ever, “The General” faces Japan’s hottest kickboxing star, determined to solidify his spot at the top.
Standing in the opposite corner is Yoza, who has taken the world’s largest martial arts organization by storm. Global audiences witnessed greatness when he dominated Elbrus “The Samurai” Osmanov and former ONE World Champion Petchtanong Petchfergus in consecutive victories.
However, it was his jaw-dropping striking masterpiece against ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek that announced his arrival among the division’s elite.
At ONE 173 in November, Yoza delivered a mesmerizing performance. He overwhelmed the Thai superstar with a whirlwind of devastating kicks and punches to claim a unanimous decision victory and earn this World Title opportunity.
In another marquee match, crowd-favorite Yuya Wakamatsu will defend his belt before a passionate home crowd.
The ONE veteran has authored one of the promotion’s most inspiring comeback stories, rising from devastating defeats to realize his lifelong dream.
Now in the best form of his career, Wakamatsu is riding a five-fight winning streak. The run culminated in a first-round knockout of former multi-time ONE World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes at ONE 172 to claim the belt.
The TRIBE Tokyo MMA representative then showcased his complete evolution at ONE 173, finishing reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio via second-round TKO.
Next up for Wakamatsu is a red-hot contender who has gone 9-1 inside the promotion while riding a six-fight winning streak.
Kholmirzaev dominated the ONE Friday Fights circuit, earning a US$100,000 contract-winning performance over respected veteran Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada at ONE Friday Fights 116 last July. Armed with a well-rounded arsenal and dangerous finishing instincts, he continued his rampage on the main roster.
The 24-year-old snapped Willie “White Lion” van Rooyen‘s undefeated record with a scintillating first-round submission at ONE Fight Night 37.
He then showed tremendous heart, weathering early adversity from veteran Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado before securing a second-round TKO at ONE Fight Night 38 last December.
When the lights shine brightest on April 29, legacies will be cemented in an unforgettable night of martial arts excellence in Tokyo.
