Superbon will soon know exactly who stands between him and his next World Title defense.

The ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion watches the semifinals of the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament unfold at ONE SAMURAI 4, live from Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Saturday, October 17. Armenian legend Marat Grigorian faces China’s Luo Chao, who reached the final four by outpointing Kosuke Takagi, while Japan’s Masaaki Noiri battles Iranian knockout artist Mohammad Siasarani, who remains unbeaten in ONE kickboxing after finishing Kaito Ono. The eventual tournament winner earns a shot at Superbon’s crown.

“I think Marat takes his match. The other semifinal is a tough one to call – it’s pure 50-50,” Superbon said. “But if I had to pick, fighting on home turf gives Noiri a slight edge to pull off the win.”

A Grigorian or Noiri final would carry real stakes for Superbon

Either outcome would carry significant legacy implications for Superbon’s own résumé. A Grigorian tournament victory would set up a fourth career meeting between the two longtime rivals, following a rivalry that dates back to a 29-second knockout loss in 2018 before Superbon answered with consecutive decision wins at ONE X and ONE Friday Fights 58. A Noiri triumph would instead give the Japanese star a chance to avenge his own ONE 173 World Title loss this past November.

Superbon has already fought through the drama of picking a side once this tournament, and he knows fans will hold him to it either way.

“Whenever I make a call, people just love to grill me. But if forced to pick, I’m leaning toward Marat and Noiri as the final two.”

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