Bokang Masunyane Predicts Second-Round Knockout Against Ryohei Kurosawa At ONE Fight Night 39

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South African MMA fighter Bokang Masunyane plans to deliver a knockout statement against Japanese veteran Ryohei Kurosawa when they collide in a strawweight MMA clash on 24 January at ONE Fight Night 39.

"Little Giant" from South Africa brings four ONE victories into this crucial matchup. Despite coming off two tough losses against elite competition, Masunyane has claimed promotional victories against three other Japanese fighters, giving him confidence in this stylistic matchup.

Masunyane views this bout as his opportunity to prove he belongs among the strawweight division's elite. The South African contender welcomes the challenge of facing a high-level athlete with extensive experience and believes a victory will open ONE World Championship opportunities.

"It's very nice to fight a high-level athlete like that because it allows me to make a statement and show that I belong at the top of the division in ONE Championship and to obviously open up a title opportunity for me," Masunyane said.

The Commonwealth Games medalist brings a strong grappling foundation to this clash. Masunyane has been wrestling since 8 years old, developing the takedowns and top control that have defined his fighting style throughout his career.

However, the South African has evolved significantly over the past 18 months. Masunyane has dedicated training time to improving his striking, believing his hands now pose serious knockout threats alongside his wrestling base.

"I've got a very strong wrestling background. I've been wrestling from a very young age, from eight years old. Lately, I've been working a lot on my striking for the last year and a half, and I feel like the striking has improved so much more," Masunyane said.

For this matchup specifically, Masunyane has visualized the ideal scenario. The South African contender believes a second-round knockout would send the clearest message to the entire strawweight division.

"In my ideal scenario, it's me finding a knockout between the first two rounds, most likely the second. I think that's the fight that puts a statement on the rest of the division," Masunyane said.