Taiki Naito targets all-Japan thriller vs 'Natural Born Krusher' in ONE Championship: "I'd love to fight Takeru"
Taiki Naito has set his sights on a blockbuster all-Japan showdown after becoming the first man to hand Johan Estupinan a defeat during their flyweight Muay Thai matchup at ONE Fight Night 32 on Friday, June 6.
The Japanese striker, who holds the third-ranked flyweight kickboxing spot, backed up his pre-fight promise to be the Colombian's "toughest opponent" to date.
Naito used his veteran experience to score a knockdown and dominate his opposite number inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
After three exciting rounds, Naito deservingly got his hand raised by majority decision, simultaneously wiping away the JCFernandez and Team CSK man's "O" in his resume.
Shortly, after his win, the Bell Wood Fight Team representative wasted no time identifying his preferred next challenge during a post-fight interview with combat sports journalist Nick Atkin.
"You know, today I fought in Muay Thai, but I usually also fight in kickboxing. And in ONE Championship in the ranking right now, number two is Takeru, and I'm the next. So I’d love to fight Takeru as my next opponent," the 29-year-old shared.
A potential matchup between him and Takeru Segawa should be nothing short of fireworks. Naito's technical-based approach and experience competing under the kickboxing ruleset in ONE Championship would deliver an intriguing clash of styles against the former ONE world title challenger.
Plus, with 'Natural Born Krusher' holding the spot as the No.2-ranked contender in the stacked flyweight kickboxing division, it certainly seems like a battle that the ONE matchmakers should explore if the world's largest martial arts organization decides to head back to Japan with another blockbuster card after a thrilling ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang card inside the Saitama Super Arena this past March.
Fight fans in the United States and Canada who missed Taiki Naito's win at ONE Fight Night 32 can watch the entire card via replay on Amazon Prime Video. The full event replay is also available at watch.onefc.com.
Watch Taiki Naito's full interview with Nick Atkin here:
Taiki Naito's win at ONE Fight Night 32 puts an end to his latest two-match skid
For the warrior known to many as Taiki Naito, getting his hand raised inside the Mecca of Muay Thai meant everything.
Naito headed into this showdown with only one win, a unanimous decision triumph over Sherzod Kabutov at ONE Friday Fights 55, in his past five outings. And after being knocked out in his last appearance on the global stage, Naito definitely did not cut any corners prepping for Estupinan.
He put on a strong showing across nine minutes of action, and even during stretches where Estupinan landed big strikes, 'Silent Sniper' made sure to hurt his foe on the exit.
Having proven his mettle against the previously undefeated Colombian's finishing power, the Japanese warrior now appears ready to test himself against Takeru's devastating all-around arsenal in what would undoubtedly be one of the most hotly anticipated all-Japan battles in combat sports history.