The opening round features four high-stakes matchups: Marat Grigorian vs. Mamuka Usubyan, Takagi Kosuke vs. Luo Chao, Kaito vs. Mohammad Siasarani, and Noiri Masaaki vs. Liu Mengyang. Ahead of the tournament, Beyond Kick’s Silver Tang spoke with six competitors — Marat Grigorian, Mamuka Usubyan, Takagi Kosuke, Luo Chao, Mohammad Siasarani, and Liu Mengyang — about their preparation, opponents, and championship ambitions.
Marat Grigorian: “I Love Tournaments. I Want to Meet Noiri Masaaki in the Final.”
Marat Grigorian, one of kickboxing’s biggest names, is returning to tournament action for the first time since competing in the 2021 ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix. He expressed his excitement about returning to the format. “I’m excited to do this, I love it. It’s like we are going back to the old-school way.”
Grigorian is also confident about his chances of going all the way. “My goal is to become champion in this division. This time will be a great opportunity for me.” While he respects his opening-round opponent Mamuka Usubyan, Grigorian believes he has the tools to deal with his style.
“Mamuka Usubyan is a dangerous fighter, but he is more of a point taker. I have my answer to his style.”
Rather than looking too far ahead, Grigorian says he is focused on one fight at a time, but already has one preferred opponent in mind for the final.
“I never thought about which fighter I will encounter next. I just want to meet Noiri Masaaki in the final.”
Grigorian praised Noiri’s recent performances and believes Noiri has returned stronger than ever. “Now he is back, better and stronger. I believe me against Noiri will be an exciting fight, because he will come forward against me, and that will bring the fire out of us.”
Mamuka Usubyan: “I Like Facing the Pressure”
Mamuka Usubyan began his ONE Championship journey in 2024, scoring a knockdown over Shadow Singhamarvin in his promotional debut. Since then, the Russian striker has put together five consecutive victories and now faces one of the biggest tests of his career against Marat Grigorian.
A professional kickboxer from Russia, Usubyan has developed a style deeply rooted in the country’s kickboxing tradition. “My current Russian kickboxing style is evolving with time, and it suits me pretty well. I’ve tried different styles, but the current one is the best for me.”
Facing Grigorian known for his pressure, Usubyan believes his own style will allow him to turn that aggression against Grigorian. “I like facing the pressure, and I will not be crushed by it. My way of coping with pressure will counter Grigorian perfectly.”
Takagi Kosuke: “I may be the underdog, but I will show my real power”
Takagi Kosuke, the current Shoot Boxing Japan Champion, will make his ONE Championship debut on August 8. Despite entering the tournament as one of the less-established names, Takagi is confident he can change that perception. “I may be at the lowest position among the eight fighters, but I will show my real power and change people’s view of me.”
Takagi began his martial arts journey in Shinkyokushin Kai, a style of full-contact karate, which continues to shape his approach in kickboxing. “What karate brings me is the spirit of always coming forward and always being brave enough to fight, as well as the precision of every punch and kick. I am bringing all of these merits of full-contact karate to kickboxing.”
Facing Luo Chao in his ONE debut, Takagi will also take on his first Chinese opponent. “This will be the first time I fight a Chinese opponent. I have watched some of his videos. He is positive in the ring and always keeps moving forward. I am excited for the fight.”
Luo Chao: “This Time Will Only Be Better Than Last Time”
Luo Chao earned his first victory in ONE Championship in May 2026, securing a split decision win in his debut. Entering the Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament, the Chinese prospect will make only his second appearance under the ONE banner, but believes the experience from his debut will help him perform better this time.
Reflecting on his first ONE fight, Luo admitted that nerves affected his performance. “I was a bit too nervous in my debut, and I was rushing too much. I think this time I will be more patient, and for sure, I will be better than last time.”
The eight-man tournament format is not unfamiliar territory for Luo, who has experience competing in multiple fights on the same night during his time fighting in China. “Yes, I am pretty familiar with elimination fights. I will take it as one of my advantages, but the most important thing is the upcoming first fight. I will not lose focus for even a moment.”
Like his opponent Takagi Kosuke, Luo will also face a fighter representing a different style of martial arts for the first time. The Chinese striker recognizes Takagi’s karate background but remains confident in his own abilities. “He is a typical karate-style fighter, especially with his different kinds of kicks. But I have my own advantages. This time will only be better than last time.”
Mohammad Siasarani: “I Will Not Take This Fight as a Rematch”
Mohammad Siasarani returns to ONE Championship action after nearly six months away from competition, marking the longest period without a fight since joining the promotion. His last appearance came in February, and now he is ready to return in one of the biggest challenges of his ONE career — the Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament.
“I am excited to get back to the ring. I come back for a big fight. This time will also be different because it will be my first time fighting in Japan. I always fight in Thailand, so I am used to everything there, but Japan is new for me. I’m happy to fight there.”
During his training camp, Siasarani has placed a major emphasis on his mental preparation, believing that mindset will play a crucial role in a tournament environment.
“My first focus this time is my mentality. For me, mental strength is always more important than the body. Of course, my training is going smoothly. I have physical training in the morning and kickboxing training in the afternoon. Everything is going as I planned.”
Siasarani will face Kaito in the opening round, revisiting their previous matchup where the Iranian secured the victory. However, he does not view the fight as a rematch — instead, he sees Kaito as simply the first step toward his ultimate goal.
“This will only be a rematch for him, not for me. I’m only taking him as my first opponent in this tournament, and my goal is to be the winner of the final.”
Liu Mengyang: “I Am Here for the Belt, No Other Choices”
On August 8, Liu Mengyang will face Noiri Masaaki in a highly anticipated rematch. The Chinese striker announced himself on the ONE Championship stage in their first meeting, scoring a first-round knockdown before securing a decision victory in his promotional debut.
More than a year later, Liu believes he has developed into a more complete fighter. “I am more mature than I was in the first fight. I am also becoming more familiar with the rules, and the experience of making weight has made me stronger. This time, my team and I have done more thorough research on Noiri, but I believe he can never fully read me, because I have more weapons than he could expect.”
With the tournament title and a potential world title opportunity ahead, Liu has made his ambition clear.
“I am here for the belt, no other choices for me.”
Looking back at his ONE debut, Liu revealed that he entered the fight as a replacement opponent but quickly proved he belonged on the global stage.
“When I made my ONE debut, I was just a backup fighter against Noiri, but my performance surprised everyone. I want people to understand that bringing a threat into the ONE ring is easy — but dealing with that threat is much harder. And I am that threat.”
Liu also has unfinished business with another tournament competitor, Mohammad Siasarani, who handed him his only defeat in ONE Championship so far. If both fighters advance, Liu is eager for the opportunity to settle the score.
“I hope he can beat Kaito, and then I will meet him in the next round.”
The Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament represents more than just a tournament — it is a test of consistency, adaptability, and championship mentality. With eight elite strikers, four unpredictable opening-round matchups, and a chance to challenge Superbon waiting at the end, every fighter enters the bracket knowing that one performance could change the direction of their career.
As the first bell approaches, the question remains: who will rise through the bracket and earn their place among ONE Championship’s elite?
