ONE SAMURAI 2 Kickboxing Results: Kasahara, Reiji, Kitano Shine Bright In Tokyo

The striking artistry was on full display as ONE SAMURAI 2 delivered a thrilling night of kickboxing action on Saturday, August 8.

A seasoned veteran proved his experience is still a formidable weapon with a relentless knee attack, an 18-year-old phenom out-gunned his compatriot to earn a statement win, and a four-division Shoot Boxing World Champion survived a grueling test to edge out a split decision.

Here is how all the action unfolded inside Tokyo’s EBARA WAVE Arena Ota.

Kasahara Beats Shiokawa In Featherweight Kickboxing Battle

Hiroki Kasahara ground out a hard-fought split-decision victory over Ryuto Shiokawa in their tightly contested featherweight kickboxing clash.

The Caesar Gym veteran lit up his compatriot with heavy punches in the opening round, tracking him across the ring and looking to trap him against the ropes. Shiokawa, however, utilized slick lateral movement to stay out of range and keep the round close.

Kasahara maintained his relentless pressure in the second, repeatedly forcing the TOP STAR GYM product onto the back foot. Undeterred, Shiokawa found his mark on the counter, repeatedly burying his shin into his opponent’s ribcage to stay right in the thick of the action.

With the fight hanging in the balance, both men emptied their gas tanks in the final round. Kasahara leaned heavily on his boxing combinations, while Shiokawa showcased a more diverse striking arsenal, blending punches and kicks to create a razor-close conclusion to the bout.

In the end, two of the three judges at ringside sided with Kasahara. The split-decision nod served as a fitting milestone as the Japanese standout secured a hard-earned victory in his 50th professional bout, improving his impressive career record to 41-9.

Reiji Edges Okumura In Strawweight Kickboxing War

Reiji out-foxed Japanese countryman Shoma Okumura over three hard-fought rounds to claim a unanimous decision victory in their strawweight kickboxing clash.

The 18-year-old Nanseikaikan product showcased slick footwork in the opening frame, fluidly evading his opponent’s punches and countering with sharp kicks and straight lefts — one of which cracked the Team Teppen representative flush on the chin.

Okumura answered with clear intent in the second round, greeting Reiji with body kicks before dialing up the pressure. He utilized punch-low kick combinations to punish his compatriot and seemingly leveled the fight.

The action hit a boiling point in the third stanza. Both men stood their ground and traded heavy blows in the center of the ring, refusing to fold or take a backward step. The blistering pace continued right up to the final bell, culminating in one last dramatic exchange as time expired.

Ultimately, all three judges at ringside ruled in favor of Reiji. The unanimous decision nod rewarded his technical brilliance and improved his professional record to 10-3.

Kitano Batters Ranma With Knees To Score TKO Victory

Veteran striker Katsuki Kitano utilized a masterful clinch game to dismantle Japanese star Ranma via TKO in a bantamweight kickboxing clash.

The opening round started evenly until the Seishikai Gym product stepped into the pocket with a devastating knee to the sternum that shifted the momentum entirely. Kitano kept targeting the midsection with heavy knees and punches, leaving Ranma wilting under the unrelenting pressure.

The action intensified in the second frame. Kitano scored an early knockdown with a well-placed knee. Although Ranma showed tremendous heart to answer the referee’s count, an inadvertent strike to the groin brought a brief halt to the action. When the bout resumed, Kitano immediately went back on the attack, landing another thudding knee to send his opponent down for a second eight-count.

Kitano came out aggressively with punches in the third round before marching forward to deliver a final, fight-ending barrage of knees. The Team Teppen product crashed to the canvas and could not beat the count, taking the finish at the 0:50 mark.

The victory proved that Kitano’s veteran experience and fighting pride remain forces to be reckoned with, earning the Japanese standout his 26th career win, and a US$50,000 bonus.