Superbon Vs Noiri And Reug Reug Vs Malykhin II: A Closer Look At ONE 173 In Tokyo

Following the success of ONE 172, battle followers in Japan and all over the world are hungry for extra motion. From lightning-fast knockouts by Muay Thai icon Rodtang Jitmuangnon to high-level MMA finishes by Japan’s personal Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu, anticipation is excessive for the subsequent large card. For its subsequent cease in Japan, ONE Championship is teasing the cardboard with two thrilling matchups in Muay Thai and MMA, every with very completely different stakes however each value watching.

That being mentioned, let’s dive straight into what was revealed within the press launch earlier right this moment, and extra importantly, what we are able to anticipate from these matchups.

Superbon Vs Masaaki Noiri: Two Stylists, One Title

This matchup brings collectively two of probably the most achieved strikers within the featherweight division, however with fully completely different roads behind them.

Superbon has been right here earlier than. His document speaks for itself, with wins over names like Marat Grigorian and Sitthichai, a protracted historical past in kickboxing and Muay Thai, and extra not too long ago, a return to kind with a decisive victory on ONE Friday Fights. After Chingiz Allazov vacated his title, Superbon was re-elevated to full ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion standing.

Masaaki Noiri, however, is available in representing a distinct legacy. A Ok-1 standout with a high-pressure, technical fashion, Noiri not too long ago earned interim standing in ONE Championship after a robust conflict towards Tawanchai at Saitama. That win helped cement his standing as Japan’s main consultant within the division.

This battle received’t be wild or reckless; it’ll possible be calculated. Each males are affected person, tactical strikers. It might come right down to who manages distance higher, who units traps extra successfully, and who retains their composure late within the battle.

Reug Reug Vs Anatoly Malykhin II: The Return Of The Titans

The primary time Reug Reug and Anatoly Malykhin fought, not many anticipated the result. Reug Reug, beforehand identified extra for his athleticism than polish, pulled off a slender resolution win over a fighter who had regarded practically untouchable as much as that time.

Now they run it again. This time, the context is completely different.

Reug Reug enters the rematch with momentum. He’s improved visibly, his gasoline tank appears higher, his takedown entries are extra managed, and his capability to soak up and counter has developed.

Whereas identified for his knockout energy and aggressive fashion, Malykhin additionally has the grappling credentials to shift gears when wanted. Some consider he might take a extra strategic method, mixing in takedowns, clinch work, and prime stress to gradual the tempo and put on his opponent down, a distinction to the high-risk, high-reward exchanges he’s usually favored.

That being mentioned, many anticipate him to lean on his wrestling and stress management extra this time round.

This match goes past simply the title and belt. It’s a check of whether or not the primary battle was a one-off or an indication of a respectable energy shift within the heavyweight division.

Trying Forward

ONE 173 brings two very completely different sorts of matchups to Tokyo, one outlined by precision and expertise, the opposite by physicality and the unpredictable nature of heavyweight combating. It’s a return to Japan that blends world expertise with a robust native presence, and the matchups to this point recommend a stable mixture of kinds.

However we’re in all probability not carried out but. As the cardboard fills out, extra names will possible be added—and that opens the door to much more potentialities.

What fights are you hoping to see added to the lineup at ONE 173?

Tell us what matchups you’re maintaining a tally of or who you’d prefer to see get their shot in Tokyo.