MMA
Nadaka shares Hall of Fame night with Takeru at ONE World Title defense
Published
1 month agoon
ONE ChampionshipNadaka Yoshinari will share the spotlight with one of his own idols on the biggest night of his kickboxing career so far.
The reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion defends his crown against dangerous challenger Rifdean Masdor in the co-main event of ONE SAMURAI 4 inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Saturday, October 17. That same night, retired kickboxing legend Takeru Segawa will be formally inducted into the ONE Hall of Fame, a fitting reunion for two fighters whose paths first crossed at ONE SAMURAI 1.
Nadaka successfully defended his Muay Thai title against Songchainoi Kiatsongrit on that same card, sharing the bill with the final bout of Takeru's storied career. He has long admired the kickboxing icon, and the memory of that farewell still resonates with him ahead of October 17.
“It was his retirement fight, plus a revenge match against a guy who'd beaten him before, and it was also the main event of the show – every kind of pressure you could stack on someone,†Nadaka said. “And under all that, he put together the best version of himself, the best performance of his career.â€
Nadaka draws on Takeru's example ahead of Rifdean defense
Fight-week obligations kept Nadaka from watching Takeru's finish live from the arena floor, a regret he still carries into this new chapter of his own career.
That admiration has not translated into imitation. Rather than chase a version of stardom that belongs to someone else, Nadaka intends to lean on the same technical foundation that has carried him to a 42-fight unbeaten streak heading into Rifdean.
“I don't think I have that kind of pull yet, that ability to move the whole scene by myself,†he said. “What matters more for me is not losing myself, sticking firmly to my own style.â€
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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MMA
Arman Tsarukyan sets one condition for fighting Alexander Volkanovski
Published
4 hours agoon
November 3, 2026
Tsarukyan is open to fighting Alexander
Volkanovski, provided
Ultimate Fighting Championship gold is at stake.
Volkanovski (29-4) defended the featherweight title with a
technical knockout victory over Movsar
Evloev at
UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi before expressing interest in returning to
lightweight. With champion Justin
Gaethje uncertain about his future, Volkanovski offered to face
Tsarukyan (24-3) for the vacant title if Gaethje retires.
Arman Tsarukyan reminds Alexander Volkanovski how Islam
Makhachev rematch ended
Tsarukyan said the championship matters more to him than the
opponent.
“I'm ready for everyone,†Tsarukyan told Yavuz Saynomo. “For me, it
doesn't matter who I'm gonna fight; I just want to fight for the
title.â€
Volkanovski has expressed confidence that he can counter
Tsarukyan's wrestling and avoid being held down. Tsarukyan
responded by recalling the Australian's knockout loss to Islam
Makhachev.
“He said Islam Makhachev cannot knock him out, too,†Tsarukyan
added.
Volkanovski has twice challenged Makhachev for the lightweight
championship. He lost their first meeting by unanimous decision
before Makhachev finished their rematch with a head kick and
follow-up punches.
Tsarukyan remains confident that his next bout will be for the
title. If Gaethje retires, “The Batman†expects to compete for the
vacant belt.
“I have a title fight next,†Tsarukyan reiterated. “Either Justin
Gaethje. If he is retired, someone else.â€
MMA
Report: Jacqueline Cavalcanti vs. Michelle Montague postponed to UFC 335 on Dec. 12
Published
22 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
MMA
On To the Next One: Matches to make after controversial UFC Vegas 123 event
Published
22 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
UFC Vegas 123 went down this past Saturday at the Meta APEX. The Halloween-themed event ended in controversy following referee Dan Miragliotta's decision to stand up Renato Moicano and Tom Nolan with Moicano in a dominant position, thus leading to Nolan getting the finish the third round. Where does Nolan go from this victory where the headlines are solely about the referee?
On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what's next for Nolan after getting his biggest win, yet not getting the rub despite not doing anything wrong. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Jacobe Smith following his impressive win over Randy Brown in the co-main event, Cody Durden after defeating Ode Osbourne in the featured bout, along with fellow main card winners Luana Santos and Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani, and more.
Plus, your matchmaking suggestions during the second half of the program.
Arman Tsarukyan sets one condition for fighting Alexander Volkanovski
Naoya Inoue Receives Title Shot Opportunity in New Division After Champions Fifth Consecutive Stoppage
Terence Crawfords Interim Champion Eyes Canelo Showdown After Mbilli Victory
Arman Tsarukyan sets one condition for fighting Alexander Volkanovski
Naoya Inoue Receives Title Shot Opportunity in New Division After Champions Fifth Consecutive Stoppage
Terence Crawfords Interim Champion Eyes Canelo Showdown After Mbilli Victory
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