Former interim ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion Masaaki Noiri of Japan is not dwelling on what happened at ONE 173. He is already back in the gym, focused entirely on what comes next.
The 33-year-old attempted to unify the featherweight belts against undisputed champion Superbon last November. He poured his heart and soul across five rounds but eventually felt short via unanimous decision.
Noiri’s path back to title contention runs straight through ONE SAMURAI 2 on Aug. 8 at Ebara Wave Arena Ota in Tokyo.
He is set to compete in the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing World Tournament, an eight-man bracket where the winner earns a guaranteed world title shot against Superbon.
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Standing between Noiri and the next round is a familiar face. He’ll figure in a rematch with Chinese phenom Liu ‘Spirit Dragon’ Mengyang, the same man who handed him a unanimous decision defeat at ONE Friday Fights 92 in 2024.
Speaking to ONE Championship, Noiri brushed off any nerves surrounding this pivotal match-up.
“Nothing in particular has changed. I resumed my training right away, and I have just been training as usual,” he said.
Noiri has vengeance in mind but is treating this match-up like it’s just another day in the office.
Masaaki Noiri fired up to exact revenge on Liu Mengyang
The calm in the gym is only half the story. Masaaki Noiri is hellbent on claiming the gold.
On Instagram, the Japanese star made clear exactly what this rematch means to him.
“Opponent decided! My first-round opponent in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Tournament, the ultimate stage, will be Liu Mengyang.”
The Team Vasileus star added:
“There’s no better story than this. Now all that’s left is to prove it. I will definitely win. Please give me your absolute best support!!”
Stay tuned to ONE Championship and Sportskeeda for the latest on ONE SAMURAI 2.
Edited by Aziel Karthak