3 Bouts That Could Steal The Show At ONE SAMURAI 3
Nadaka and Wakamatsu top the card, but these showdowns have fireworks written all over them.
By Vijay Kumar
Sep 9, 2026, 03:12 UTC
ONE Championship returns to Japan for the third installment of its monthly showcase, ONE SAMURAI 3, streaming live on Saturday, September 12, from Yokohama Buntai. The stacked card spans kickboxing, MMA, and Muay Thai, bringing together homegrown stars and international talent.
Topping the bill are two high-stakes matchups guaranteed to produce fireworks.
Reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka makes his kickboxing debut against Myanmar’s Har Ling Om, while the co-main event sees former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu collide with Willie “White Lion” van Rooyen in a crucial flyweight MMA showdown.
But beyond those marquee attractions, several other matchups possess the potential to be equally extraordinary. Here are three bouts that could easily steal the show.
#1 Shimon Vs. Suablack
Japanese sensation Shimon Yoshinari, the WBC Muay Thai World Champion and cousin of atomweight Muay Thai king Nadaka, has been on a tear since his debut in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Born in Kanagawa and based in Yokohama, the EIWA Sports Gym standout has competed six times inside the ONE ring, picking up five impressive wins alongside one no contest. The masterful technician landed the biggest victory of his young career at ONE SAMURAI 1, outclassing teenage phenom Johan “Jojo” Ghazali to secure a six-figure main roster contract.
Shimon took up Muay Thai at just six years old after watching Nadaka, and he now has his sights firmly set on the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title, currently held by undefeated superstar Asadula “The Dagestan Ninja” Imangazaliev. A definitive win over a seasoned veteran like Suablack could fast-track him toward that golden opportunity.
Suablack Tor Pran49, however, has no intention of serving as a launchpad. Also a graduate of the ONE Friday Fights series, he recently moved up from bantamweight to flyweight in search of fresh challenges.
In his most recent outing, the 30-year-old made his flyweight Muay Thai debut against Stephen “El Matador” Irvine and produced a remarkable comeback. He stormed from behind to score a stunning second-round elbow knockout, a spectacular finish that earned him a US$50,000 performance bonus.
Like Shimon, Suablack first picked up Muay Thai after watching a family member compete — in his case, his older brother. His crowd-pleasing style and iron chin have made him a fan favorite, and he now chases his 10th career win to position himself firmly in the World Title conversation. This shapes up as a fascinating stylistic clash between a calculated technician and a relentless brawler.
#2 Hyu Vs. Hyuma Hitachi
Two of Japan’s finest kickboxers collide when Hyu meets Hyuma “Star Of The SHIBUYA” Hitachi in an all-Japanese flyweight kickboxing battle carrying genuine finishing potential.
The Team Mehdi Zatout and TEAM3K product burst onto the scene as an undefeated striker, immediately making his mark with five straight victories, four by spectacular stoppage. His unbeaten run came to an end this past April, however, when he suffered the first setback of his professional career against veteran Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito.
Hyu blends his deep karate background seamlessly with kickboxing fundamentals. He is known for firing missile-like punches, thudding kicks, and dazzling spinning attacks. A statement win here would reaffirm his standing as one of the division’s most exciting young strikers and prove that his lone defeat was merely a bump in the road.
Standing across from him is Hitachi, a RISE Super Featherweight Champion armed with the tools to make life incredibly difficult for his fellow countryman.
Making his promotional debut in front of a passionate home crowd, the 28-year-old brings 15 career wins and a reputation for throwing heavy, concussive hands into the matchup.
Having already reached the absolute pinnacle of RISE, Hitachi now looks to test his skills against a former RISE competitor and prove his elite class translates perfectly to the ONE ring. With one man defending his position among Japan’s surging stars and the other looking to announce himself on debut, this pairing has all the makings of an unforgettable firefight.
#3 Ryuya Okuwaki Vs. Chokdee Maxjandee
Japan meets Thailand in an explosive atomweight Muay Thai clash when Ryuya Okuwaki and Chokdee Maxjandee step into the ring. If their recent history provides any indication, this war is highly unlikely to see the final bell.
Okuwaki, a five-time Muay Thai Champion, has been sensational since his ONE Friday Fights debut last year, reeling off three impressive victories over battle-tested Thai opposition, including two emphatic knockouts.
The 26-year-old, who trains alongside Nadaka and Shimon at EIWA Sports Gym, is looking to silence his fourth straight Thai opponent. That result would secure a life-changing ONE contract and push him further up the stacked atomweight ranks.
Standing squarely in his way is Chokdee, a genuine threat to Okuwaki’s unbeaten promotional record. The Sor Sommai and Wor Wiwatthananon product rides a surge of momentum on a two-fight winning streak that includes a crisp first-round knockout. Notably, three of his five promotional wins have come by decisive finish.
Chokdee will look to hand Okuwaki his first loss inside the ONE ring and make a resounding name for himself in front of both the Japanese crowd and the global audience.
With both fearless competitors seeking a highlight-reel finish, this bout promises to be one of the night’s most captivating encounters.
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