“We all celebrate” - Masaaki Noiri says Team Vasileus shares in both triumph and defeat

ONE interim featherweight kickboxing world champion Masaaki Noiri has opened up about the unique bond he and his Team Vasileus stablemates share both on and off the mats.

On the same card where he locks horns with divisional king Superbon in a ONE featherweight kickboxing world title unification contest, two of his closest teammates and fellow former K-1 champions, Yuki Yoza and Takeru Segawa, will see action.

Yoza meets Superlek Kiatmoo9 in a bantamweight kickboxing joust, while Takeru squares off against Denis Puric in a flyweight kickboxing matchup. Their contests will be part of the star-studded ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside the Ariake Arena on Sunday, Nov. 16.

Speaking to ONE Championship ahead of his fifth promotional appearance, Masaaki Noiri opened up on the unique camaraderie that is present on the mats at the Team Vasileus base in Tokyo, Japan.

“When one of us wins, we all celebrate as if it were our own victory. Similarly, when one of us loses, we also suffer and grieve together, thinking wholeheartedly about what we need to do next as if it were our own fight," the 32-year-old reflected.

“I’ve been a member of various gyms throughout my career, but [Team] Vasileus is the first place where I truly felt this incredible warmth and rapport as a team."

Could Masaaki Noiri, Yoza, and Takeru earn pivotal wins for Team Japan come ONE 173 in Tokyo? Let us know below!

Pay-per-view streaming tickets for the blockbuster card on Nov. 16 can be purchased here.

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Masaaki Noiri says he doesn't feel any pressure heading into massive world title tilt vs. Superbon

Masaaki Noiri knows the pressure that comes with headlining a card as stacked as ONE 173. That said, he doesn't see himself stumbling into any issues on fight night.

In the same interview with the organization, the Team Vasileus man told the promotion that he's ready to deliver across all fronts when he crosses paths with Superbon inside the Ariake Arena next week.

“I’m the type who doesn’t get nervous in any situation. Since I’ve been entrusted with the headliner role for this very important event in Japan, I do feel like I need to build excitement and deliver in style. However, this responsibility doesn’t translate to pressure at all," he said.