ONE SAMURAI 2 Results: Noiri, Siasarani, Luo Advance To Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament Semifinals

The ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament quarterfinals produced fireworks as ONE SAMURAI 2 delivered a memorable night of action on Saturday, August 8.

A hometown hero exacted long-awaited revenge with a stunning knockout to advance in the high-profile eight-man bracket, a Chinese veteran rallied from behind to book his spot in the final four, and an Iranian dark horse made it two in a row against one of Japan’s biggest stars with a spectacular first-round finish of his own.

Here is how all the tournament action unfolded inside Tokyo’s EBARA WAVE Arena Ota.

Masaaki Noiri settled the score in the most emphatic way possible, knocking out Liu “Spirit Dragon” Mengyang at the 2:59 mark of round one to advance to the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament semifinals.

Nearly two years had passed since Liu handed Noiri a shocking first-round knockdown on his way to a decision victory in December 2024. But this time around in the main event, things played out very differently.

Both warriors picked up exactly where they left off in their first encounter, immediately standing forehead-to-forehead and trading blistering uppercuts and heavy hooks in the pocket. Operating at close range, they exchanged powerful low kicks that did absolutely nothing to slow either man down.

Then, the decisive sequence arrived. Noiri fired an explosive right hand followed by a thunderous left hook that left Liu severely wobbled. The Japanese striker crashed another left hand into his opponent’s chin, sending the Chinese phenom to the canvas where he could not beat the count.

The Team Vasileus product has a storied track record of beating every opponent who has ever defeated him, and he made good on that promise in the most dramatic fashion. The stoppage improved the 33-year-old’s professional slate to 52-14 and set up a highly anticipated semifinal clash with Mohammad Siasarani, moving Noiri one step closer to a World Title rematch with Superbon.

He also took home a whopping US$100,000 bonus from ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

Siasarani made it two in a row against Kaito in stunning fashion, knocking out the Japanese striking star in the opening frame to advance to the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament semifinals and earn his 29th career victory.

Kaito came out aggressively, looking to establish his kicking game early to earn the WBC Muay Thai World Champion’s respect. However, Siasarani absorbed the opening exchanges effortlessly and went to work. The Iranian standout began teasing a left kick to trigger a reaction, brilliantly reading his opponent’s movement and feinting until Kaito bit on the trap.

The moment the opening presented itself, Siasarani launched a fight-ending high left kick that sent the Japanese star crumbling to the canvas, forcing the referee to wave off the contest at the 1:27 mark of round one.

With the jaw-dropping knockout, the Team Mehdi Zatout product takes home a US$50,000 bonus and remains undefeated in kickboxing under the ONE banner. He now advances to face Noiri, who was victorious in the night’s main event.

Luo Chao punched his ticket to the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament semifinals, outpointing promotional debutant Kosuke Takagi via unanimous decision in their high-stakes quarterfinal clash.

The Shengli Fight Club product came out with clear intent in the opening frame, unleashing blistering flurries of punches on the Shoot Boxing Champion early on. However, Takagi quickly made adjustments, pressing forward and utilizing his kicking arsenal to even the score.

The 27-year-old Capital Raise Fighting GlaNz representative commanded the second round, repeatedly stepping into the pocket with driving knees to Luo’s midsection. The Chinese veteran returned fire with several stiff punches, but Takagi firmly controlled the momentum.

Takagi stormed out of his corner in the third stanza, firing heavy kicks up and down his opponent’s torso and arms. Just when the fight seemed to be slipping away, Luo blasted through the Japanese standout’s defense midway through the round, unloading a relentless barrage of punches to turn the tide and secure the judges’ nod.

With the hard-earned victory, “The Handsome White Dragon” improved his professional record to 44-11. He now advances to the tournament semifinals to face Marat Grigorian, who won his own quarterfinal bout at The Inner Circle 25 on August 7, just 24 hours prior.

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