5 Burning Questions Ahead Of ONE SAMURAI 1 On April 29

#2 Will Japanese Stars Deliver A World Title Sweep On Home Soil?

March 2026 ONE SAMURAI Press Conference 43

Beyond the main event, Japan’s World Champions carry added weight on their shoulders.

ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu and ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka Yoshinari enter ONE SAMURAI 1 not only as titleholders, but as standard-bearers for the host nation.

For Wakamatsu, the challenge comes in the form of Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev, a top-shelf contender with a terrifying 93 percent finishing rate across 15 career victories.

His aggressive style and momentum present a clear threat to the reigning king, who has built his own reputation on explosive offense.

Nadaka, meanwhile, enters on a remarkable 40-fight winning streak. But now, he faces Songchainoi Kiatsongrit, a familiar opponent returning with renewed momentum and a clear motivation to avenge their previous meeting.

Yuki Yoza adds another layer to Japan’s push.

The former K-1 Champion challenges Jonathan “The General” Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title, aiming to cap his rapid rise with gold against one of the sport’s most polished strikers.

Fighting at home brings both energy and expectation. A clean sweep would reinforce Japan’s standing across multiple divisions, while any shift could reshape the landscape moving forward.

#3 Who Stakes Their Claim As The Next World Title Challenger?

While World Champions defend their ground, others are closing in behind them.

Marat Grigorian versus Kaito in featherweight kickboxing carries more weight than a typical contender bout. The matchup was originally scheduled at ONE 172 in March last year, but fell apart after the Armenian icon missed weight by a fraction of a pound. Kaito refused to accept a catchweight compromise, forcing the fight off the card.

That moment now lingers over their long-awaited clash. Grigorian remains one of the sport’s most dangerous strikers, while Kaito steps into a defining opportunity on home soil, with much on the line.

In atomweight MMA, Ayaka “Zombie” Miura faces Chihiro Sawada in a similarly meaningful matchup between two of Japan’s top contenders.

Miura has built her reputation around her signature “Ayaka Lock,” finishing multiple opponents with the scarf-hold Americana that has become one of the most recognizable submissions in the division.

Sawada, meanwhile, enters with momentum of her own, riding a three-fight winning streak that reinforced her position among the division’s elite.

With both athletes stacking victories against high-level competition, this matchup could play a decisive role in shaping the next challenger to the divisional throne.

#4 Will Hyu Get The Last Laugh Against Naito?

Some rivalries don’t need a history of fights, they just need strong words.

Hyu and Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito arrive in Tokyo after a series of verbal exchanges that turned interest into tension.

Following his latest victory at ONE Fight Night 41, Hyu openly called for the matchup, only for Naito to respond by questioning the level of competition the young star had faced up to this point in his career.

Hyu answered in kind, promising to finish the veteran when they finally meet in the ring. Now, the time for talk is over, and the time to settle matters with their fists is upon them.

The undefeated Hyu has risen quickly, showing composure and technical sharpness, but this marks a clear step up. Naito brings years of experience, having competed against elite strikers across multiple organizations, with the ability to control distance and dictate pace.

For Hyu, it is a chance to prove he belongs at that level. For Naito, it is an opportunity to halt the rise of a challenger who has yet to be tested this way.

Only one leaves with the final word.

#5 Is Shimon Ready For His Toughest Test Against Ghazali?

The future of the sport often reveals itself in moments like this.

Shimon Yoshinari and Johan “Jojo” Ghazali are two of the most exciting young strikers in ONE, and their meeting in Tokyo carries implications beyond a single result.

The 21-year-old Shimon has built his rise through technical precision and discipline, emerging as one of Japan’s brightest Muay Thai stars alongside his decorated cousin Nadaka. He remains undefeated across five promotional appearances, a mark of his consistency and control inside the ring.

The 19-year-old Ghazali, on the other hand, brings a more explosive style. The Malaysian-American phenom has quickly made a name for himself through aggressive performances and a willingness to engage, backed by a 75 percent knockout rate across eight victories in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

Both enter the contest with undeniable momentum, but this matchup represents a clear escalation in competition.

For Shimon, it is a chance to validate his standing against a dangerous and unpredictable opponent. For Ghazali, it is an opportunity to make a statement on enemy territory.

At this stage of their careers, one performance can shift the trajectory entirely.

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