ONE Championship's long-awaited return to Japan featured two world title fights at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. On the lead card, Rade Opacic narrowly outscored Iraj Azizpour in hopes of earning himself a shot at Heavyweight & Light Heavyweight king Roman Kryklia. Sitthichai and Marat Grigorian met for the sixth and most likely last time, with the Armenian securing himself a decisive knockout win. Headlining the massive PPV card was the five-round Flyweight world championship war between Superlek and Takeru.
SUPERLEK VS. TAKERU
In the main event, Superlek Kiatmoo9 retained his ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship with a dominant win over former K-1 champion Takeru. Right from the start, the Thai sensation seized control with a relentless onslaught of low kicks, tenderizing Takeru's lead leg. Despite Superlek's offensive, Takeru displayed remarkable resilience. Although Takeru started landing punishing hooks to Superlek's body and head in the third, Superlek maintained a powerful offense throughout the remainder of the fight. The judges unanimously scored the bout in favor of Superlek, solidifying his status as one of the best strikers in both Muay Thai and kickboxing.
His win over the pound-for-pound challenger earned him a $US50,000 performance bonus.
After the fight, an emotional Takeru addressed the fans who have supported him along the way.
"I really wanted to win and prove that I’m the best in the world… to all my fans… to those who are in the arena… to all who are watching the PPV… I wanted to give you strength.
I did everything that I currently could, what I could do with my current body to the absolute limit. I really wanted [my fans] to be able to think, I’m so glad I kept supporting Takeru… so I worked hard, even if it would kill me.
There are a lot of things going on right now like the earthquake and people are experiencing pain, there are many people experiencing suffering and I really wanted to convey to those people through fighting and risking my life… that I could give them strength… and that if you work really hard… good things come your way… but this is the limit to which I can go on. I can’t prepare my body any more than this. Thank you everyone for coming today. Thank you to all my fans who believed in me and came along with me the whole way."
MARAT GRIGORIAN VS. SITTHICHAI
Marat Grigorian clinched a remarkable third-round knockout against Thai legend Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, marking their sixth meeting. While Sitthichai initially controlled the first round with sharp boxing and left kicks, Grigorian shifted gears in the second, upping the pressure. In the final round, the Armenian fighter landed a knee to the body, followed by a left hook sending the Thai to the canvas. Sitthichai wasn't able to beat the count, making this the first stoppage loss in his illustrious kickboxing career.
ONE 165 RESULTS
MAIN CARD
(c) Superlek Kiatmoo9 def. Takeru Segawa – Unanimous Decision
(c) Kade Ruotolo def. Tommy Langaker – Unanimous Decision
Shinya Aoki def. John Lineker – Submission at 3:00 of R1
Nieky Holzken def. Yoshihiro Akiyama– TKO at 1:40 of R1
Marat Grigorian def. Sitthichai – KO at 1:20 of R3
Garry Tonon def. Martin Nguyen – Submission at 1:30 of R3
Ayaka Miura def. Itsuki Hirata – Unanimous Decision
LEAD CARD
Yuya Wakamatsu def. Danny Kingad – Flyweight MMA
Rade Opacic def. Iraj Azizpour – Unanimous Decision
Bokang Masunyane def. Keito Yamakita – Unanimous Decision
Gustavo Balart def. Hiroba Minowa – Split Decision
