"Nothing really surprised me" - Superbon says Masaaki Noiri was as tough as he had expected him to be

Superbon (right) and Masaaki Noiri (left) trade strikes at ONE 173 in Japan. [Image: ONE Championship]
Superbon (right) and Masaaki Noiri (left) trade strikes at ONE 173 in Japan. [Image courtesy: ONE Championship]

Superbon entered hostile territory expecting war, and Masaaki Noiri delivered exactly that across 15 grueling minutes.

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The 35-year-old Thai striking icon unified the ONE featherweight kickboxing world championship with a unanimous decision victory over interim titleholder Masaaki Noiri.

Despite scoring an all-important triumph in the main event of ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, Nov. 16, inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena, the undisputed king knew from the opening bell that his Japanese opponent wouldn't make it easy.

In his post-fight interview in the Circle, Superbon praised Noiri's legendary toughness, acknowledging that the former K-1 champion's durability lived up to everything he expected when preparing for the title unification bout.

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"Nothing really surprised me because I know how durable he is. I know that he could take my shot. This is his style, to be this durable," the 35-year-old Bangkok-based star told Circle-side color commentator Mitch Chilson via a translator.

Though he did praise the Team Vasileus man's determination, it was the Thai slugger who inflicted non-stop damage throughout the five-round war.

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His trademark head kicks – thrown with surgical precision from both lead and rear legs – landed with frightening accuracy all night.

Fans who missed any of the action from ONE 173 can head to live.onefc.com to purchase the pay-per-view replay ticket. ONE Championship's blockbuster return to Tokyo featured four world title fights across MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing inside the Ariake Arena.

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What's next for Thai megastar Superbon

Though the Superbon Training Camp founder can rest, recuperate, and savor his dominant win over Noiri in Tokyo, he may have another world title war in the offing against an old nemesis.

Three-time kickboxing world champion Marat Grigorian scored a unanimous decision win over Rukiya Anpo in their featherweight kickboxing tiff on the undercard of ONE's star-studded showcase in Japan – a triumph that pushes him back into the world title picture.

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The undisputed ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion and Grigorian have crossed paths three times in the past, with Superbon emerging victorious in their two fights in ONE Championship.

Grigorian's victory against the Thai slugger came at Kunlun Fight 69 in February 208. He knocked him out in 29 seconds of the opening stanza.

Follow One Championship News, Schedule & Results at Sportskeeda.

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Edited by Aziel Karthak
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