“I gave it my all” - Japanese superstar Masaaki Noiri pushes through the limits a few weeks before ONE debut
Masaaki Noiri isn't taking things lightly ahead of his ONE Championship debut. The Japanese superstar is pushing through the limits in training camp for his promotional debut against Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong at ONE 167 on June 7 at Impact Arena.
Noiri has been putting in the work with coach Masakazu Watanabe at Vasileus Gym in Japan, and he shared a snapshot of his training camp on Instagram.
"I gave it my all 🤯 Thank you to @masakazu925 for always pushing me beyond my limits 🙇🏻♂ We only have a few days left until the match, but we appreciate your continued support."
Masaaki Noiri is one of the best kickboxers of his generation. He already left an indelible legacy in K-1 Kickboxing when he became a two-division champion in the promotion.
The 31-year-old now takes his talents to the world's premier martial arts organization, and ONE Championship immediately gave him a tough assignment in his debut.
Sitthichai is the number three contender in the stacked featherweight kickboxing rankings and the second-ranked fighter in the featherweight Muay Thai division.
'Killer Kid' is already in rarified air with eight Muay Thai and kickboxing world titles across Lumpinee, Glory Kickboxing, and other promotions.
Noiri's debut fight against Sitthichai, and the entire ONE 167 card, is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Masaaki Noiri believes he can join his division's elite with a win over Sitthichai
ONE Championship's featherweight kickboxing division is often described as the most dangerous weight class in combat sports, and Masaaki Noiri wants a spot at the esteemed hall.
Chingiz Allazov is the reigning ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion, while number one contender Superbon has the division's interim strap.
Marat Grigorian and Sitthichai hold the second and third seats, respectively, while ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai is in fourth and the legendary Giorgio Petrosyan is in fifth.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Noiri said he's aware of the weight class he's going in and wants to make his presence felt when he faces Sitthichai in Bangkok.
Noiri said:
"I want to become a champion in the end, but if there's a space at the top of the rankings, the number one [spot], that should be motivation for me."
Watch Noiri's entire interview below: