ONE Championship is set to make its highly anticipated return to Japan with a stacked 11-fight card. From heated rivalries to high-stakes contender fights, here are the five biggest reasons why ONE 165: Superlek vs. Takeru is a must-watch event for martial arts fans.
| Reason | Event |
|---|---|
| The World’s Best Flyweight Kickboxer Will Emerge | Historic three-division K-1 World Champion Takeru will face reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek in a battle for flyweight supremacy. |
| A Rematch Of ONE’s Best Submission Grappling Match In 2023 | Reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo defends his belt against Europe’s top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Tommy Langaker, in a rematch of their high-paced, back-and-forth encounter. |
| An Innovative Must-See Super-Fight | Kickboxing legend Nieky Holzken takes on Japanese MMA icon Yoshihiro Akiyama in a three-round hybrid clash under different rulesets. |
| Rivals Settle Their Scores | Sage Northcutt faces Shinya Aoki, Garry Tonon takes on Martin Nguyen, Yuya Wakamatsu seeks revenge against Danny Kingad, and Marat Grigorian looks to even the score against Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong. |
| Japan Versus The World | Japanese fighters Keito Yamakita, Hiroba Minowa, Ayaka Miura, and Itsuki Hirata showcase their skills against international opponents. |
ONE Championship is set to make its highly anticipated return to Japan this Sunday, January 28, with a stacked 11-fight card featuring global and national superstars. Headlined by a monumental World Title showdown between Thai icon Superlek Kiatmoo9 and kickboxing great Takeru Segawa, the event promises to be a can’t-miss showcase for martial arts fans. From heated rivalries to high-stakes contender fights and a unique special rules contest, ONE 165: Superlek vs. Takeru has it all. Read on to discover the five biggest reasons why this event is a must-watch.
1. The World’s Best Flyweight Kickboxer Will Emerge
In the main event, historic three-division K-1 World Champion Takeru will make his promotional debut against reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek. These two fighters represent the pinnacle of kickboxing, and the winner will claim the undisputed honor of being the sport’s top flyweight.
2. A Rematch Of ONE’s Best Submission Grappling Match In 2023
The co-main event features reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo defending his belt against Europe’s top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Tommy Langaker, for the second time. Their first encounter was a high-paced, back-and-forth affair that was named ONE’s best submission grappling match last year.
3. An Innovative Must-See Super-Fight
ONE 165 will showcase a first-of-its-kind super-fight between kickboxing legend Nieky Holzken and Japanese MMA icon Yoshihiro Akiyama. This three-round hybrid clash will see each athlete compete under different rulesets, making it a truly unique and exciting matchup.
4. Rivals Settle Their Scores
Drama will unfold at ONE 165 as several grudge matches take place. Sage Northcutt and Shinya Aoki will finally face off after their initial bout was canceled in 2021. Garry Tonon gets his long-awaited showdown with Martin Nguyen, and Yuya Wakamatsu seeks revenge against Danny Kingad. Marat Grigorian and Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong will also renew their rivalry in a highly anticipated clash.
5. Japan Versus The World
ONE’s return to Japan will feature some of the country’s best fighters. Undefeated phenom Keito Yamakita takes on Bokang Masunyane in a fight that could launch him into the World Title conversation. Hiroba Minowa aims to bounce back against Gustavo Balart, and Ayaka Miura faces off against Itsuki Hirata in an all-Japan women’s atomweight bout.
Don’t miss out on this action-packed event that brings together the best of the best in martial arts.
