While four massive World Title fights and a plethora of martial arts superstars dominate the headlines at ONE SAMURAI 1, the supporting cast is stacked with explosive bouts.

On Wednesday, April 29, the world’s largest martial arts organization takes over Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, with a card loaded from top to bottom with athletes eager to make a definitive statement and snatch the spotlight from the marquee attractions.

ONE SAMURAI 1 is shaping up to be the martial arts event of the year. But before it gets underway, here are three high-stakes matchups that could steal the show.

Kaito Ono Vs. Marat Grigorian

An incredible clash of styles takes center stage when Japanese featherweight kickboxing standout Kaito Ono locks horns with Armenian striking icon Marat Grigorian, and there is genuine bad blood ready to spill over in this matchup.

Scheduled to face off at ONE 172 last year, Kaito refused to fight Grigorian after the latter missed weight by a fraction of a pound, leading to a bitter back-and-forth on social media. Now, this rivalry will finally hear the sound of the bell in Tokyo.

Kaito represents a uniquely analytical approach to the striking arts. Trained entirely by his father throughout his career, the Japanese star lives a monastic, 24-hour martial arts lifestyle. He relies on pinpoint accuracy, seamless distance management, and a highly technical guard to dismantle his opposition.

He will need every ounce of that technique to neutralize the terrifying power of Grigorian. The battle-tested former ONE World Title challenger is notorious for his unbreakable forward pressure, iron chin, and devastating combinations.

Grigorian does not believe Kaito has earned the right to face him in the ring, and he has publicly vowed to smash straight through the Japanese fighter’s defense and score a knockout on enemy territory.

If Kaito can successfully navigate the storm, it will be a masterclass in precision. But if Grigorian finds his range, the judges will not be needed. This one has “Fight of the Night” written all over it.

Hyu Vs. Taiki Naito

The stakes could not be higher when undefeated phenom “Mister Pepper” Hyu meets tactician Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito in a three-round flyweight kickboxing showdown.

This matchup is fueled by a fascinating generational contrast and a heavy dose of bad blood. Hyu brings a flawless promotional record and a reputation for explosive, high-amplitude karate strikes into the ONE ring. He has been vocal about his intentions to expose Naito and force a changing of the guard in Japan.

Riding a five-fight winning streak, Hyu enters this contest with undeniable momentum. But Naito believes he is the man to derail the hype train.

Hyu’s trash talk awakened a dormant fire inside the 30-year-old Bell Wood Fight Team representative. Naito feels disrespected by his younger compatriot and views “Mister Pepper’s” power-heavy style as a glaring defensive liability.

As one of the most experienced fighters on the ONE roster, Naito will lean on his ring savvy to outmaneuver the young gun and prove he remains in the World Title picture.

With Hyu hunting for a highlight-reel finish and “Silent Sniper” waiting to land a crushing counter-strike, this all-Japanese collision is guaranteed to produce fireworks from the opening bell. 

Shimon Yoshinari Vs. Johan Ghazali

Fans should not blink when electric Japanese striker Shimon Yoshinari throws down with Malaysian-American sensation “Jojo” Johan Ghazali. 

Ghazali is a bona fide superstar who has built an enormous global following by leaving destruction in his wake. The 19-year-old knockout artist, who hones his skills under the guidance of Superbon and Nong-O Hama in Bangkok, operates with an all gas, no brakes mentality. He overwhelms opponents with heavy hands, vicious elbows, and a relentless pace that rarely gives anyone room to breathe.

That’s why when he meets fellow sensation Shimon in the ring at ONE SAMURAI 1, fans can expect thrilling exchanges at every juncture of the fight.

Yoshinari steps into Ariake Arena with the full backing of the Tokyo crowd, and he has zero intention of becoming another entry into Ghazali’s expanding highlight reel. Defending his home turf, Yoshinari possesses the technical tools to interrupt Ghazali’s forward momentum and drag the Malaysian-American into deep waters.

But when Ghazali is in the ring, chaos is almost always a guarantee, and the 19-year-old brings incredible star power to this pairing. This bout promises to be an absolute war that will keep fans on the edge of their seats for as long as it lasts. 

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ONE Championship gears up to host one of its biggest spectacles of the year with ONE SAMURAI 1 on Wednesday, April 29.

The blockbuster card, which broadcasts live from the historic Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, features a multitude of bouts across several disciplines, each carrying its own massive stakes and undeniable momentum.

With four World Title clashes, major divisional implications, heated rivalries, and marquee matchups from top to bottom, the event presents a night filled with questions that will shape the future of the world’s largest martial arts organization.

Here are five burning questions ahead of the monumental show.

#1 Can Takeru Close His Storied Career With A Poetic Ending?

Few fighters have carried the expectations of a nation the way Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa has.

A three-division K-1 Champion, he built his career on relentless pressure and an uncompromising style that made him one of the most beloved figures in Japanese combat sports. Now, that journey reaches its final chapter.

He faces Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon in a highly anticipated rematch for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title. The headline attraction carries both World Championship stakes and personal significance.

Adding to the moment, the bout will be broadcast on Fuji TV, bringing Takeru’s farewell to millions of viewers across Japan. It’s something he has described as a dream come true.

Standing across from him is the man who stopped him in just 80 seconds in their first encounter at ONE 172 last year.

That result was decisive, but it left questions — not about Rodtang’s ability, but about whether Takeru was ever given the chance to show his full range. A rematch offers that opportunity, but this time, there are no second chances.

With retirement looming, this is no longer just about victory. It is about rewriting the ending.

Rodtang, meanwhile, steps into the role as the final test of a legend. Being chosen for that moment reflects mutual respect, but it also places him at the center of a story that extends beyond the result.

Whether Takeru can change the narrative or Rodtang closes the book himself, the outcome will define how this rivalry is remembered.

#2 Will Japanese Stars Deliver A World Title Sweep On Home Soil?

Beyond the main event, Japan’s World Champions carry added weight on their shoulders.

ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu and ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka Yoshinari enter ONE SAMURAI 1 not only as titleholders, but as standard-bearers for the host nation.

For Wakamatsu, the challenge comes in the form of Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev, a top-shelf contender with a terrifying 93 percent finishing rate across 15 career victories.

His aggressive style and momentum present a clear threat to the reigning king, who has built his own reputation on explosive offense.

Nadaka, meanwhile, enters on a remarkable 40-fight winning streak. But now, he faces Songchainoi Kiatsongrit, a familiar opponent returning with renewed momentum and a clear motivation to avenge their previous meeting.

Yuki Yoza adds another layer to Japan’s push.

The former K-1 Champion challenges Jonathan “The General” Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title, aiming to cap his rapid rise with gold against one of the sport’s most polished strikers.

Fighting at home brings both energy and expectation. A clean sweep would reinforce Japan’s standing across multiple divisions, while any shift could reshape the landscape moving forward.

#3 Who Stakes Their Claim As The Next World Title Challenger?

While World Champions defend their ground, others are closing in behind them.

Marat Grigorian versus Kaito in featherweight kickboxing carries more weight than a typical contender bout. The matchup was originally scheduled at ONE 172 in March last year, but fell apart after the Armenian icon missed weight by a fraction of a pound. Kaito refused to accept a catchweight compromise, forcing the fight off the card.

That moment now lingers over their long-awaited clash. Grigorian remains one of the sport’s most dangerous strikers, while Kaito steps into a defining opportunity on home soil, with much on the line.

In atomweight MMA, Ayaka “Zombie” Miura faces Chihiro Sawada in a similarly meaningful matchup between two of Japan’s top contenders.

Miura has built her reputation around her signature “Ayaka Lock,” finishing multiple opponents with the scarf-hold Americana that has become one of the most recognizable submissions in the division.

Sawada, meanwhile, enters with momentum of her own, riding a three-fight winning streak that reinforced her position among the division’s elite.

With both athletes stacking victories against high-level competition, this matchup could play a decisive role in shaping the next challenger to the divisional throne.

#4 Will Hyu Get The Last Laugh Against Naito?

Some rivalries don’t need a history of fights, they just need strong words.

Hyu and Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito arrive in Tokyo after a series of verbal exchanges that turned interest into tension.

Following his latest victory at ONE Fight Night 41, Hyu openly called for the matchup, only for Naito to respond by questioning the level of competition the young star had faced up to this point in his career.

Hyu answered in kind, promising to finish the veteran when they finally meet in the ring. Now, the time for talk is over, and the time to settle matters with their fists is upon them.

The undefeated Hyu has risen quickly, showing composure and technical sharpness, but this marks a clear step up. Naito brings years of experience, having competed against elite strikers across multiple organizations, with the ability to control distance and dictate pace.

For Hyu, it is a chance to prove he belongs at that level. For Naito, it is an opportunity to halt the rise of a challenger who has yet to be tested this way.

Only one leaves with the final word.

#5 Is Shimon Ready For His Toughest Test Against Ghazali?

The future of the sport often reveals itself in moments like this.

Shimon Yoshinari and Johan “Jojo” Ghazali are two of the most exciting young strikers in ONE, and their meeting in Tokyo carries implications beyond a single result.

The 21-year-old Shimon has built his rise through technical precision and discipline, emerging as one of Japan’s brightest Muay Thai stars alongside his decorated cousin Nadaka. He remains undefeated across five promotional appearances, a mark of his consistency and control inside the ring.

The 19-year-old Ghazali, on the other hand, brings a more explosive style. The Malaysian-American phenom has quickly made a name for himself through aggressive performances and a willingness to engage, backed by a 75 percent knockout rate across eight victories in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

Both enter the contest with undeniable momentum, but this matchup represents a clear escalation in competition.

For Shimon, it is a chance to validate his standing against a dangerous and unpredictable opponent. For Ghazali, it is an opportunity to make a statement on enemy territory.

At this stage of their careers, one performance can shift the trajectory entirely.

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