Ryujin Nasukawa Debuts Against Thongpoon In Strawweight Kickboxing Fight At The Inner Circle 23 On July 24
Ryujin Nasukawa looks to live up to his monumental family legacy when he makes his highly anticipated ONE Championship debut at The Inner Circle 23 on Friday, July 24.
The 20-year-old, who is the younger brother of legendary pound-for-pound kickboxing icon Tenshin Nasukawa, is set to face Thongpoon PK Saenchai in a high-stakes strawweight kickboxing fight, live in Asia primetime.
This captivating addition joins a lineup that already features the previously announced ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Title clash between Sam-A Gaiyanghadao and Aliff Sor Dechapan, which will broadcast exclusively on live.onefc.com.
Ryujin Carries A Pedigree That Commands Attention
Ryujin does not intend to simply linger in the shadow of his megastar sibling Tenshin, who stands as one of the greatest kickboxers of the modern era.
Driven to forge his own legacy, the Chiba native has quietly carved out a formidable path in the martial arts world. To date, he has captured the ISKA K-1 Strawweight Championship, as well as the RISE Flyweight and Super Flyweight Titles.
Training out of the renowned TEPPEN GYM in Tokyo, Japan, Ryujin has developed his prodigious striking skills alongside world-class coaches and training partners. Sporting a stellar 17-3 professional record, he brings an offensive arsenal designed to dismantle top-tier competition.
While his iconic brother conquered the kickboxing world as a southpaw, Ryujin brings an orthodox look to their shared family style.
The Japanese standout deploys the same heavy, boxing-centric pressure and high-volume counter-striking, but he alters the delivery with a crisp technical twist. He also leverages a stiff jab, sharp jab-cross combinations, and punishing body shots to break down his opponents.
Now stepping onto the global stage, Ryujin has the perfect platform to break away from familial comparisons. A definitive performance in his first promotional appearance will allow him to map out his own unmistakable path to martial arts glory.
Thongpoon Brings A Difficult First Test
Welcoming the highly touted debutant is an aggressive powerhouse who packs dynamite in both hands. Thongpoon seamlessly couples a flamboyant persona with a menacing swagger, routinely wearing his trademark sunglasses and a bejeweled necklace for his high-energy walks to the ring.
The Thai dynamo backs up that theatrical showmanship with a decisive style that has yielded 80 career victories, including five triumphs under the ONE banner. He originally used calculated chaos to secure three consecutive victories in the weekly ONE Friday Fights series, earning a lucrative US$100,000 contract and roster spot in the process.
Since joining the global roster, the 28-year-old has notched highlight-reel stoppages over Timur Chuikov and former World Title challenger “Mini T” Danial Williams.
The PK Saenchai Muaythaigym representative is fiercely driven by redemption after falling in his last two promotional outings. That recent skid includes a challenging kickboxing debut loss against forthcoming World Title challenger “Fighting Rooster” Zhang Peimian at ONE Friday Fights 137 last December.
This matchup presents a fascinating contrast of styles, pitting Thongpoon’s massive experience advantage against Ryujin’s youthful exuberance. The ultimate test is whether the Thai’s devastating one-shot knockout power can disrupt his opponent’s pristine movement and blinding speed.
The stakes are immensely high for both strawweights. A victory allows Ryujin to make a roaring first impression and announce himself as an immediate divisional threat. However, Thongpoon can recapture his momentum against a high-profile newcomer, making this an unmissable addition to the July 24 lineup.
Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news about The Inner Circle 23.
