ONE Championship Launches Monthly ONE Samurai Event Series In Japan

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ONE Championship unveiled its ambitious new monthly event series, ONE Samurai, during a star-studded press conference in Tokyo this week, signaling the promotion's commitment to restoring Japan's position at the pinnacle of martial arts.

The promotion announced that ONE Samurai will showcase elite Japanese stars alongside international athletes across multiple disciplines including MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling. The inaugural event is scheduled for 29 April inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena.

In a significant leadership announcement, ONE named Shuntaro Tanaka as CEO of Japan and Group Chief Commercial Officer. The promotion revealed plans to broadcast 60 events in the coming five years, with multiple World Title fights featured at each ONE Samurai event.

The press conference featured appearances from ONE Championship's biggest Japanese stars, including reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya Wakamatsu, ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka, former three-division K-1 Champion Takeru Segawa, and former K-1 Champion Yuki Yoza.

ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong delivered an impassioned vision for Japanese martial arts' future, invoking the glory days when organizations like K-1 and PRIDE dominated the global landscape.

"In the past, Japanese martial arts organizations like K-1 and PRIDE were at their peak and were number one in the world. However, as they declined, the Japanese martial arts scene has been declining as well. ONE will create a new future for martial arts for Japanese fighters and fans," Sityodtong declared.

Takeru echoed the sentiment of national pride surrounding ONE Samurai's launch. The striking legend, who faces his retirement fight, views the series as crucial to re-establishing Japan's martial arts dominance on the world stage.

"I think ONE Samurai will be a major event that proves Japanese strength and puts martial arts at the center in Japan. Even though my next fight is my retirement fight, I will prove my world-class strength and cap off ONE Samurai's first major event in the best form," Takeru stated.