ONE Championship News
Yuya Wakamatsu targets knockout against Joshua Pacio at ONE 173: "That's the ideal finish for me"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 28, 2025
Knockouts write the best championship stories. Yuya Wakamatsu plans to author his first title defense by separating Joshua Pacio from consciousness in front of his hometown crowd. The reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion defends his gold against the ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena at Tokyo, Japan.
Tye Ruotolo and Shozo Isojima put undefeated records on the line at ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 28, 2025
Perfect records vanish with a single mistake. Shozo Isojima and Tye Ruotolo both understand this brutal reality as they prepare to settle who remains unbeaten in lightweight MMA competition. The Japanese rising star battles the American submission grappling champion at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri. This goes down on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena at Tokyo, Japan. Both fighters carry unblemished records into this high-stakes encounter that could launch the winner toward title contention. Isojima brings hometown momentum while Ruotolo seeks to prove his grappling dominance translates seamlessly into mixed martial arts competition.
Roman Kryklia chases third World Title at ONE Fight Night 37: "I want to make history"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 27, 2025
Championship belts fuel ambition rather than satisfy hunger. Roman Kryklia stands on the edge of striking immortality with two ONE World Titles already draped across his shoulders, yet he sees only the one missing piece. The Ukrainian giant battles undefeated Turkish sensation Samet Agdeve for the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Championship at ONE Fight Night 37 on Prime Video on Friday, November 7, live from Bangkok, Thailand. Kryklia seeks his third ONE World Title to cement his legacy as one of striking arts’ all-time greats. The 6-foot-6 powerhouse already holds both the ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing and ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Championships.
Shinya Aoki finally ready to settle heated rivalry with Hiroyuki Tetsuka at ONE 173 in Japan
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 27, 2025
Social media warfare transforms into Circle reality when personal pride meets professional combat. Shinya Aoki finally answers Hiroyuki Tetsuka’s challenge after months of heated exchanges that captivated Japanese fight fans. The legendary submission specialist battles the hard-hitting former Pancrase Welterweight Champion in lightweight MMA action at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena at Tokyo, Japan. This all-Japanese showdown represents far more than another fight on a stacked card. Both men have traded verbal shots across multiple platforms, building genuine animosity that guarantees fireworks when the cage door closes.
Joshua Pacio believes "timing will be key" against Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 26, 2025
ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio pursues Philippine history against an opponent whose career trajectory mirrors his own. The 29-year-old recognizes similarities in Yuya Wakamatsu’s journey from early setbacks to championship glory through persistent improvement. Pacio challenges Wakamatsu for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The Lions Nation MMA representative seeks to become the Philippines’ first two-division MMA champion after cementing strawweight supremacy with his February trilogy victory over Jarred Brooks at ONE 171.
Nontachai Jitmuangnon drops to bantamweight seeking redemption against former tormentor: "It's my turn to go down and find him"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 23, 2025
Nontachai Jitmuangnon will change weight classes for his upcoming redemption fight. The 26-year-old Thai striker abandoned featherweight to pursue unfinished business against the only man who’s beaten him inside the promotion. Nontachai faces Soner Sen in bantamweight Muay Thai at ONE Friday Fights 130 on Friday, October 24, in Bangkok, Thailand. The Jitmuangnon Gym representative suffered his promotional loss against #5-ranked bantamweight contender Abdulla Dayakaev at ONE Fight Night 33 in March, ending his perfect 3-0 start that included knockout victory over Dmitrii Kovtun.
Christian Lee juggles family duties with ONE World Title defense at ONE 173: "My whole life"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 23, 2025
Two-division ONE MMA World Champion Christian Lee embraces chaos that would overwhelm most fighters. The 27-year-old manages three children under one roof with a fourth boy arriving soon, while running a thriving gym and defending ONE World Titles across two weight classes. Lee defends his ONE Lightweight MMA World Title against Alibeg Rasulov in their rematch at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The Singaporean-American seeks a definitive victory after their December no-contest ended via accidental eye poke.
Shadow vs. Rabah rematch, plus two more explosive matchups added to ONE Fight Night 38
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 23, 2025
ONE Championship bolstered its December lineup with three compelling additions spanning Muay Thai and MMA disciplines. The card features unfinished business, rising prospects, and championship implications across multiple weight classes. Shadow faces Mohamed Younes Rabah in featherweight Muay Thai at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, in Bangkok, Thailand. The #3-ranked contender seeks closure after their July no-contest at ONE Fight Night 33. There, an accidental eye poke halted his dominant performance.
Numsurin embraces underdog role against Nadaka: "There could be no mercy"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 21, 2025
Thai veteran Numsurin Chor Ketwina spent years proving skeptics wrong through obscurity. The 30-year-old striker finally earned recognition by shocking established contender Songchainoi Kiatsongrit, opening championship doors that seemed permanently locked throughout his career. Numsurin faces Nadaka for the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The Bangkok native confronts a 10-time Muay Thai World Champion riding a 39-fight winning streak after earning his $100,000 contract through the ONE Friday Fights platform.
Rodtang confronts emotional conflict facing mentor Nong-O for vacant title: "I might be happy or maybe not"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 21, 2025
Former flyweight king Rodtang Jitmuangnon never imagined destiny would force this collision. The Thai superstar built his reign admiring the veteran who now stands between him and championship redemption, creating emotional complexity that transcends typical competition. Rodtang faces Nong-O Hama for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 28-year-old former champion confronts his longtime role model after being stripped of his belt in November 2024 for missing weight, while 38-year-old Nong-O pursues rare two-division glory.
Superbon targeting Masaaki Noiri finish: "Ending the fight with a knockout would make it a perfect victory"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 20, 2025
ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon refuses to leave his Tokyo destiny in the hands of the judges. The Thai striker learned hard lessons from his January loss to Tawanchai, transforming shortcomings into fuel that powers his pursuit of divisional supremacy against an opponent who accomplished what he couldn’t. Superbon faces ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri in a unification bout at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 35-year-old brings 116 career victories into his clash with Japan’s striking sensation, who captured interim gold by knocking out Tawanchai at ONE 172 in March.
Stamp Fairtex "excited, and also nervous" about return to competition ahead of ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 20, 2025
Thai superstar Stamp Fairtex spent two years wondering whether her body would cooperate again. The former three-sport queen traded heavy bags for rehab rooms, transforming daily striking sessions into careful stretches that tested patience more than technique. Stamp faces Kana Morimoto in atomweight kickboxing at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 27-year-old captured the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title at ONE Fight Night 14 in 2023 before a torn meniscus derailed her championship reign and forced complete lifestyle reconstruction.