Bokang Masunyane targeting knockout finish at ONE Fight Night 39: “Make a statement”

Bokang Masunyane has tested himself against high-level competition throughout his career. But this next fight carries different weight.

The South African contender meets surging Japanese striker Ryohei Kurosawa in strawweight MMA at ONE Fight Night 39 on Friday, January 23, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The event broadcasts live in U.S. primetime on Amazon Prime Video.

Masunyane dropped back to strawweight after his flyweight experiment against Sanzhar Zakirov ended with a decision loss last April. That setback followed another close defeat to Mansur Malachiev. Two consecutive decision losses slowed his championship climb without breaking his resolve.

Now the 31-year-old wrestler faces a 20-4 Japanese veteran riding a six-fight winning streak. Kurosawa earned his promotional spot by dominating Jayson Miralpez across three rounds at ONE Friday Fights 124 last September. The former Pancrase and Shooto Champion blends wushu-influenced striking with a strong judo base that creates problems at multiple ranges.

“I’m very excited because I’m fighting a very high-level fighter,” he said. “His last fight was very impressive, but I feel good about this because this fight is for me to make a statement in my division that opens up an opportunity to fight for the title, and that’s what I want to do.”

Bokang Masunyane sees expanded striking game as key advantage

Bokang Masunyane built his reputation on suffocating wrestling pressure. The explosiveness and relentless pace overwhelmed opponents who couldn’t handle his entries. But that identity represents just one dimension of what he’s developed over the past 18 months.

The South African has invested heavily in striking development since his last few fights. Wrestling remains his foundation after training in the discipline since age 8. But his evolution on the feet creates new finishing opportunities that opponents haven’t seen on tape.

Masunyane studied Kurosawa’s film extensively and identified clear stylistic advantages. The Japanese striker operates primarily off his back foot, using timing and precision to counter aggressive opponents. That defensive approach plays directly into the South African’s front-foot pressure.

“I believe with my striking that I’ve learned lately, it actually opens up a bigger game for me, and I want fans to expect an electric fight, an explosive fight, and a very entertaining fight at the end of the day,” he said. “In my ideal scenario, it’s me finding a knockout between the first two rounds, most likely the second. I think that’s the fight that puts a statement on the rest of the division.

“I feel like it’ll probably be my right hand this time because I’ve been working a lot on hand striking, being precise and using my power. Usually, I use my power for wrestling, and this time I’m trying to use that power more in my striking. So probably a right hand.”