ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament Semifinals Set For ONE SAMURAI 4
The ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament quarterfinals produced non-stop drama across two stacked cards, and the semifinals will deliver even more when ONE SAMURAI 4 touches down inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Saturday, October 17.
Three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion Marat Grigorian battles “The Handsome White Dragon” Luo Chao, while former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri collides with Mohammad Siasarani in the tournament’s final four.
Their matchups will be part of the star-studded card, which will also see ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka defend his gold against Rifdean Masdor, and ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan ‘The General” Haggerty’s next title defense against former divisional king Hiroki Akimoto.
Grigorian – a former ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title challenger – booked his ticket to the semifinals with a commanding performance against Mamuka Usubyan at The Inner Circle 25 on August 7.
The Armenian knockout artist put his trademark pressure on display, giving the Russian warrior zero room for comfort throughout their nine-minute clash in Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
As a result, the Hemmers Gym veteran walked away with a comfortable unanimous decision, which improved his slate to 71-14 and extended his win streak to four on the global stage.
Standing across from him is a fighter who brings no shortage of firepower, as evidenced by his unanimous decision victory over Kosuke “Unstoppable Phoenix” Takagi in their quarterfinal tiff at ONE SAMURAI 2 on August 8.
Luo came out hot against the Japanese promotional newcomer in round one, but Takagi settled in and seized control in the second frame. Rather than fold under that pressure, “The Handsome White Dragon” broke through his foe’s guard with a relentless barrage of punches that swung the fight decisively in the third stanza, thus improving to 44-11 in his career.
His ability to adjust mid-fight, coupled with a complete arsenal, sets up a fascinating puzzle for Grigorian, whose suffocating pressure, heavy hands, and supreme fight IQ have made him one of the hardest styles to crack in the division.
If that pairing promises fireworks, the other semifinal brings a similarly explosive energy. Noiri advanced to the next stage after exacting revenge against Liu “Spirit Dragon” Mengyang with a first-round knockout in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 2.
A perfectly timed right hand followed by a thunderous left hook sent Liu crashing to the canvas, avenging a defeat the Chinese star had handed him nearly two years earlier.
With the win that improved his record to 52-14, the Team Vasileus standout collected a US$100,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
Siasarani matched that intensity blow for blow on the same card in Tokyo’s EBARA WAVE Arena Ota, needing just over a minute to put away Kaito and take a 2-0 lead in their rivalry.
The Iranian finishing machine wrapped things up with a vicious high kick, extending his active win streak to six in succession across Muay Thai and kickboxing. At the same time, he took his unblemished promotional kickboxing record to 6-0.
Noiri and Siasarani bring a different dynamic into their matchup, and given how quickly both men closed the show in their respective quarterfinals, fans have every reason to expect another display of clean, decisive finishing when the two share the ring at ONE SAMURAI 4.
The winner of the competition will not only earn the tournament’s coveted belt, but he will also secure a guaranteed shot at reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon.
