ONE Championship

One win could separate a Bulgarian contender from ONE lightweight kickboxing gold. Standing in his way is a Japanese star who, he insists, does not like being pressured.

Bogdan Shumarov meets Rukiya “Demolition Man” Anpo in a lightweight kickboxing bout at ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 29-year-old has won three of four ONE appearances, dropping only a split decision to Rungrawee “Legatron” Sitsongpeenong.

Anpo, a former K-1 Champion known for speed, movement, and attacks from multiple ranges, lost his ONE debut to three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion Marat Grigorian at featherweight. In Tokyo, he steps into lightweight kickboxing for the first time in ONE, though he has competed at heavier weights under boxing rules.

The Bulgarian has studied how Anpo reacts when opponents take away his space. His previous meetings with Masaaki Noiri and Grigorian, Shumarov believes, showed that constant forward momentum creates real problems for him.

“I think he doesn’t like the pressure. Like we see in the previous fight, even back in the days with Noiri, now in ONE Championship with Marat,” Shumarov said.

“So I think I can handle this [well]. I think he’s not gonna take my pressure.”

Bogdan Shumarov sees Regian Eersel beyond Anpo

For Shumarov, a victory could lead straight to a shot at reigning ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Regian “The Immortal” Eersel. The pair were expected to meet around two years ago before an injury derailed the plan.

Anpo brings urgency of his own, competing in his home country while trying to make his mark in a new division. That leaves both men with little margin to spare at Ariake Arena.

“He can be dangerous because, of course, for him it’s all or nothing because his fight is also [in Japan]. He’s in his home,” Shumarov said.

“But for me, the same. It’s all or nothing because if I win, I [will probably] go for the title next, so I don’t have a chance to lose.”

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