‘Up To Me To Deliver’ – Masaaki Noiri Promises Redemption Against Liu Mengyang At ONE SAMURAI 2

Masaaki Noiri believes every piece of his grand redemption story has already fallen into place. Now, the Japanese superstar simply must deliver the definitive results to complete it.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion will rematch “Spirit Dragon” Liu Mengyang in the quarterfinals of the highly anticipated ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament at ONE SAMURAI 2. The blockbuster event takes place on Saturday, August 8, broadcasting live from Tokyo’s EBARA WAVE Arena Ota, streaming via live.onefc.com.

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style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 14px; width: 144px;">Their first meeting in December 2024 ended with Liu handing Noiri his second straight loss in ONE Championship, marking the very first time the Japanese standout had suffered consecutive defeats in his illustrious career. The Chinese striker stepped in on short notice, surprised Noiri in the first round, and ultimately earned a unanimous decision.

class="wp-block-paragraph">More than a year and a half later, the 33-year-old finally has the coveted opportunity to settle the score and advance in an elite eight-man tournament. The eventual winner of this prestigious bracket will earn a guaranteed shot at reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The Japanese veteran recalled:

“The last time we fought, my opponent was changed to Liu Mengyang at the last minute. I barely had any information about him. There were only one or two videos of his previous fights available. From those, he looked like a fighter who preferred to stay at range and fight from the outside.

class="wp-block-paragraph">“So I built my strategy around facing that type of fighter. But when he fought me, he closed the distance and pressured me throughout the fight. It was completely different from what I had expected.”

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style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 14px; width: 144px;">Noiri displayed great resilience to recover from an early knockdown, producing much stronger work over the final two rounds, but his late rally was not quite enough to overturn Liu’s early advantage on the scorecards.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The former two-division K-1 Champion also came away deeply impressed by his rival’s physical strength, height, and ability to use those attributes effectively. However, Noiri and Team Vasileus have meticulously prepared for both the aggressive pressure fighter who appeared in their first meeting and the longer-range striker they initially expected. The Japanese striking ace believes he will have a definitive answer either way.

class="wp-block-paragraph">He said:

“We have prepared for both possible versions of him, so we’ll be ready regardless of which approach he chooses. Our preparation is complete.”

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style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 14px; width: 144px;">Liu has continued competing and steadily building momentum since their first battle, but Noiri firmly believes his own technical improvement has been even greater. Since their encounter, “Spirit Dragon” has reeled off three straight victories, highlighted by a spectacular finish of Tawanchai PK Saenchai, and was in line to challenge Superbon before the champion withdrew due to injury.

class="wp-block-paragraph">More importantly, the frustration of that initial defeat has remained with Noiri throughout every single demanding session of his current training camp. The former interim titleholder knows his fans expect a decisive response, and he fully intends to deliver one.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Noiri said:

“Since [our first fight], he has put together a winning streak and continued competing consistently. I’m sure he has gained experience and become a better fighter. But I believe I have improved even more. The humiliation I experienced that night has to be repaid more than double.

class="wp-block-paragraph">“I know people are expecting me to score a knockout. No matter how the fight unfolds, I want to put him down and win.”

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style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 14px; width: 144px;">Noiri Looks To Lead Japan Into A New EraAlthough Liu Mengyang commands Masaaki Noiri’s complete and undivided attention, the Team Vasileus representative clearly understands what could await him deeper in the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Marat Grigorian is a longtime dream opponent for the Japanese star, whose relentless style has often been favorably compared to Noiri’s. However, the Armenian star sits on the opposite side of the bracket and could only meet Noiri in the tournament final. Should Noiri advance past Liu, he will face the winner of Kaito and Mohammad Siasarani’s quarterfinal rematch.

class="wp-block-paragraph">However, every possible route through the bracket ultimately points toward the exact same destination. Noiri desperately wants another opportunity against Superbon after falling short in their World Title unification bout at ONE 173 last November.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Noiri explained:

“After losing to Superbon, I decided that I absolutely had to face him again, defeat him, and win the belt. My goal isn’t simply to get revenge against Superbon. I want to defeat him while he is champion and take the belt from him.”

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style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 14px; width: 144px;">ONE SAMURAI 2 also carries much wider cultural significance for the former interim king.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Noiri was proudly present at the inaugural ONE SAMURAI event, which he described as a truly magical night for martial arts. Following Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa’s recent retirement, the Japanese legend personally told Noiri and Yuki Yoza that it was now their shared responsibility to carry the country’s striking scene forward.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Noiri wants to contribute to that legacy in his own distinct way and leave an even stronger impression at the second edition of the event series.

class="wp-block-paragraph">He concluded:

“The story is already there. It starts with a rematch with Liu in the first round of the tournament. Everything is in place for an incredible story. Now it is up to me to deliver the results.

class="wp-block-paragraph">“I have to prove myself, get my revenge, eventually earn another opportunity against Superbon, and win the belt that proves I’m the best in the world.”

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