Another Japanese superstar joined ONE Championship.
The promotion announced on Tuesday evening that it signed World Champion Masaaki Noiri to its already impressive featherweight kickboxing roster.
Noiri has won K-1 World Titles in two divisions and owns a K-1 Grand Prix belt, making him one of the biggest catches in the world of kickboxing today.
As someone who has seemingly done it all outside of ONE Championship, Noiri wants to challenge himself in the pinnacle of striking arts.
“As ONE officially announced, I have signed a contract with ONE Championship, the highest stage for striking. If I want to pursue being the strongest in the world that I believe in, this is a stage I have to challenge,” he said.
“I’ve finally arrived here. This marks the start of the final chapter for me as a martial artist, Masaaki Noiri. I’m nothing but excited to be on a stage filled with formidable fighters. Let’s see how far I can go. Please look forward to it. I’ll be fighting while carrying Japan on my back, so I appreciate your support more than ever!”
The 30-year-old joins the loaded featherweight division currently ruled by ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Chingiz Allazov and interim champ Superbon. But he has plenty of potential fights against the likes of Marat Grigorian, Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, and Tawanchai PK Saenchai ahead of him.
Noiri’s addition further bolsters ONE’s Japanese roster, which includes longtime pound-for-pound great Takeru Segawa and former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Hiroki Akimoto.