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āIt Ended Up As My Official Nicknameā ā Hyu Reveals The Playful Origin Behind āMister Pepperā Ahead Of ONE SAMURAI 1
TL;DR
Japanese fighter Hyu, known for his speed and creativity, will face Taiki Naito at ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29. He reveals the playful origin of his nickname 'Mister Pepper' from his training days in Thailand.
Key points
- Hyu is an undefeated Japanese kickboxer.
- He will fight Taiki Naito at ONE SAMURAI 1.
- The event takes place on April 29 in Tokyo.
- Hyu has finished four out of five opponents in ONE Championship.
- His nickname 'Mister Pepper' has a playful origin.
Mentioned in this story
Ariake ArenaTokyo
HyuTaiki NaitoONE SAMURAI 1
Undefeated Japanese sensation Hyu has built his reputation on speed, creativity, and a finishing instinct that rarely gives opponents time to settle into a fight.
The 23-year-old will face his compatriot Taiki āSilent Sniperā Naito in a flyweight kickboxing showdown at ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29 inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
Across five wins in ONE Championship, Hyu has stopped four opponents, needing just 16 minutes in total to finish them. His karate foundation allows him to blend punches, kicks, knees, and even acrobatic techniques like the rolling thunder into a fluid and unpredictable offense.
Nothing about that resume, however, suggests a nickname like āMister Pepper.ā The story behind it begins far away from the spotlight, during his time training in Pattaya, Thailand.
The Team Mehdi Zatout and TEAM3K star explained:
āWhen I go to Thailand, my priority after training is always meat and rice. I didnāt know where to go at first, so the first place the team went together was Pepper Lunch.
āAnd from there I just kept going back. Every time.ā
What started as a simple routine quickly became something his coach, Mehdi Zatout, turned into a running joke inside the gym.
Pepper Lunch, a Japanese casual chain restaurant known for its sizzling plates of beef, rice, and black pepper, became Hyuās regular post-training spot. It was a small detail, but one that reflected the kind of habits teammates notice over time.
Zatout, who balances discipline with personality in his coaching approach, began calling him āMister Pepper.ā At first, it stayed within the team environment, nothing more than a light moment between sessions.
Hyu added:
Q&A
What is the origin of Hyu's nickname 'Mister Pepper'?
Hyu's nickname 'Mister Pepper' originated during his training in Pattaya, Thailand, reflecting a playful aspect of his personality.
When is the ONE SAMURAI 1 event featuring Hyu?
ONE SAMURAI 1, featuring Hyu, is scheduled for April 29 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
Who will Hyu fight at ONE SAMURAI 1?
Hyu will face fellow Japanese fighter Taiki 'Silent Sniper' Naito in a flyweight kickboxing match.
What is Hyu's fighting record in ONE Championship?
Hyu has an undefeated record with five wins in ONE Championship, having finished four of his opponents.