Superbon will soon know exactly who stands between him and his next World Title defense.

The ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion watches the semifinals of the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament unfold at ONE SAMURAI 4, live from Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Saturday, October 17. Armenian legend Marat Grigorian faces China's Luo Chao, who reached the final four by outpointing Kosuke Takagi, while Japan's Masaaki Noiri battles Iranian knockout artist Mohammad Siasarani, who remains unbeaten in ONE kickboxing after finishing Kaito Ono. The eventual tournament winner earns a shot at Superbon's crown.

“I think Marat takes his match. The other semifinal is a tough one to call – it's pure 50-50,†Superbon said. “But if I had to pick, fighting on home turf gives Noiri a slight edge to pull off the win.â€

A Grigorian or Noiri final would carry real stakes for Superbon

Either outcome would carry significant legacy implications for Superbon's own résumé. A Grigorian tournament victory would set up a fourth career meeting between the two longtime rivals, following a rivalry that dates back to a 29-second knockout loss in 2018 before Superbon answered with consecutive decision wins at ONE X and ONE Friday Fights 58. A Noiri triumph would instead give the Japanese star a chance to avenge his own ONE 173 World Title loss this past November.

Superbon has already fought through the drama of picking a side once this tournament, and he knows fans will hold him to it either way.

“Whenever I make a call, people just love to grill me. But if forced to pick, I'm leaning toward Marat and Noiri as the final two.â€

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With Tyson Fury showing face at BKB 58 as well as Andy Ruiz's presence at BKB 59, it represents exciting growth within bare-knuckle boxing for one of BKB's most dominant combatants.  Julian Fernandez touched upon this subject ahead of his super cruiserweight title defense against multi-division BKB champion Dan Podmore. That Police Gazette diamond championship clash headlines BKB 59 in Tijuana on September 19th, which marks the promotion's inaugural foray into Mexico.

‘Pitbull Jr.' is also a notable gloved boxer in addition to his gloveless exploits. The Mexican national boxing champion has multiple mutual opponents with Tyson Fury. When touching on the moment that ‘The Gypsy King' appeared at BKB's event in Miami on August 29th, Fernandez said [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],

“He's very proud to be part of and a champion of bare knuckle boxing. He said that he's very excited and it makes him very excited and proud as well when he saw Tyson Fury up there, one of the best heavyweights of all time. Also, to be fighting for the same organization that employs Victor Ortiz and [El] Perro [Alfredo] Angulo and the likes it just goes to show the metamorphic growth of BKB and bare knuckle boxing in general. He's excited to be part of that growth and be a champion.â€

Tyson Fury, Andy Ruiz, and the growth of BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing

Speaking of notable big men within the sweet science landscape, Mexico's first-ever heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz is set to be in attendance for this Tijuana card on Saturday night and will take in Fernandez's performance against a four-time, three-division BKB champion in Dan Podmore.

Indicating an appreciation for Ruiz's presence but also maintaining his steely focus on the task at hand in ‘Big Pod', Fernandez stated [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],

“He said he's excited. I mean, he brought [Andy Ruiz] up.â€

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Colby Covington believes Gable Steveson has done himself no favors aligning with Jon Jones.

Jones took Steveson under his wing before the Olympic gold medalist was offered a UFC contract. Steveson even competed under Jones' Dirty Boxing Championship promotion. Jones cornered Steveson for his successful UFC debut against Elisha Ellison back in July. “Bones†was back in Steveson's corner for UFC 331 this past Saturday, but things did not go the way the team envisioned.

Steveson was knocked out cold by Sean Sharaf in 12 seconds and made his exit from the Octagon before Bruce Buffer could announce the official result. Speaking to the folks at Submission Radio, Covington insisted that Steveson should drop Jones and start over with a new camp (via MMAJunkie).

“Jon Jones is bad energy,†Covington said. “That guy is a demon, man. We've seen the long laundry list of bad things he's done to women, to people, to cops, to drug testers. He's just a horrible person, bro. When you align yourself with, and you're surrounded by that bad energy all the time, it's going to rub off on you.

“You've got to surround yourself in this life with good people that are like-minded, that work hard, that have faith in God, and aren't just freaking piece of sh*t people like Jon Jones. So he should definitely cut Jon Jones, and get to a new camp, and get focused, and start believing, and start using his wrestling, what got you to the dance.â€

Covington hasn't shy on his views of Jones as a person throughout the years. The two were once roommates at Iowa Central Community College, but they had a falling out. Ever since, Covington has publicly ripped Jones and has brought up past legal issues.

Do you think Gable Steveson should be seeking guidance outside of Jon Jones, or should he stick with his current team? Sound off in the comments below.

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