ONE SAMURAI 1 Kickboxing And Muay Thai Results: Grigorian, Akimoto, Naito Show Veteran Experience In Tokyo

ONE SAMURAI 1 lit up the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, April 29, and the all-striking action delivered from the first bell to the last before the four ONE World Title bouts. A long-awaited featherweight kickboxing grudge match finally got its jaw-dropping conclusion, and another wild featherweight kickboxing war had both men visiting the canvas. Plus, a young flyweight Muay Thai star survived a serious test to keep his momentum rolling, and veterans and promotional newcomers alike made their cases in the strawweight, flyweight, and bantamweight kickboxing divisions.

Here’s everything that went down in the night’s early Muay Thai and kickboxing fights. Grigorian Ends Kaito Feud With Devastating First-Round KO View this post on Instagram The bad blood finally boiled over, and three-time Glory World Champion Marat Grigorian made it count, as he stopped Kaito Ono via first-round knockout to settle one of the organization’s most heated rivalries. Both men met in the middle of the ring, tucked their heads behind their gloves, and swung just like two fighters with bad blood were expected to swing.

Like a pair of clashing rams, neither wanted to budge, as they shoved each other back only centimeters at a time. Kaito threw fast and hard low kicks from close range, while the Armenian knockout artist fired off tight hooks, one of which shook the Japanese slugger. A right hand-left hook combination followed, and just as Kaito moved to counter, Grigorian cracked him with an overhand right that put him on the canvas.

The Osaka native dragged himself toward the ropes, hoping to use them to haul himself back to his feet. But his legs never cooperated, which forced the referee to wave off the contest at 1:51 of round one. The victory earned Grigorian a crack at the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title, as announced right after the fight.