Liam Harrison returns to ONE Championship in kickboxing clash against Shinji Suzuki

Retirement rarely sticks when legends discover the fire still burns. Liam Harrison proved that truth when he stepped back into competition after laying his gloves down at ONE 168, and now he’s ready for another comeback.

Harrison faces Shinji Suzuki in bantamweight kickboxing at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, live from Bangkok, Thailand in U.S. primetime. The 40-year-old British legend makes his kickboxing debut in ONE Championship against the 39-year-old Japanese striker seeking consistency after alternating wins and losses.

September 2024 brought emotional closure for Harrison at ONE 168 in Denver. Seksan Or Kwanmuang stopped him with a three-knockdown sequence in round two, prompting the three-time Muay Thai World Champion to place his gloves in the Circle’s center. Twenty-four years of professional fighting appeared finished.

But combat sports legends rarely stay away long. Harrison returned five months later at his own Hitman Fight League 7 event in Manchester, England. He demolished Isaac Araya with vintage aggression, finishing the Spaniard via leg kicks in round three. That victory pushed his record to 92-26 while reigniting his competitive drive.

December represents a fresh challenge for the Bad Company product. Switching from Muay Thai’s four-ounce gloves to kickboxing’s larger mitts changes everything about range, timing, and defensive responsibility. Harrison’s trademark pressure and power must adapt to different rules and equipment.

Suzuki brings his own motivations into Friday’s clash. The Fujimakick Muay Thai Gym representative earned his contract through the 2022 Road to ONE: Japan tournament but hasn’t found consistent momentum. His debut knockout loss to Suablack Tor Pran49 in September 2023 set a rocky foundation.

Redemption arrived against Han Zi Hao in March 2024. But Jake Peacock ended that momentum at ONE 171: Qatar this past February, stopping the Japanese veteran with third-round punches. Now Suzuki faces another crossroads against someone equally desperate for victory.

Liam Harrison seeks repeat of comeback magic from 2022 performance

Comeback victories define Liam Harrison’s ONE Championship legacy more than any other fighter. His April 2022 masterpiece against Muangthai PK Saenchai showcased exactly why legends never truly fade.

That breathtaking come-from-behind knockout against “Elbow Zombie” demonstrated Harrison’s refusal to accept defeat. The finish electrified Bangkok’s crowd while reminding everyone why three decades of competition forged his reputation. December offers another opportunity to capture similar magic under different circumstances.

Both veterans understand career trajectories hang in balance. Harrison wants to prove his WBC Diamond Belt victory over Araya wasn’t a final flourish but rather proof he still belongs among elite competition. Suzuki needs consistency after three ONE appearances produced mixed results.

Neither fighter built his reputation on caution. Harrison’s aggressive style produces spectacular finishes or devastating defeats with little middle ground. Suzuki similarly commits fully to exchanges, creating the type of fight that leaves audiences breathless regardless of outcome.