ONE SAMURAI 4: Nadaka Targets Another World Title Defence

Reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka Yoshinari is ready to defend his crown on home soil. The Japanese star faces Malaysia's Rifdean Masdor in the co-main event of ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17, in Tokyo, Japan.

Nadaka represents Eiwa Sports Gym and holds a ONE record of 6-0. The 12-time Muay Thai World Champion carries a 42-fight winning streak overall and hasn't lost in more than seven years.

He won the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship last year in Japan, then defended it earlier this year, also in front of his home fans. Now he looks to make it back-to-back defences against a dangerous challenger.

Rifdean Masdor brings five-fight winning streak into title bout

Standing across from him is the 23-year-old Rifdean, who fights out of Sor Sommai with a career record of 47-8 and a ONE record of 7-1. The Malaysian enters on a five-fight winning streak and brings plenty of confidence.

Nadaka respects that confidence but sees it as an opening he intends to exploit. He also wants to showcase his defensive skills against an aggressive opponent.

"Rifdean is a really strong fighter, very confident, the kind who charges in on that confidence. I'll take it all, dodge it all, and then I will definitely knock him out. My defensive skills too, I want to show that in this fight," Nadaka said.

Nadaka wants to set an example for the next generation

Beyond the result, Nadaka spoke about the kind of example he wants to set. He never trash-talks opponents and hopes his respect for them influences the next generation watching.

"I want to be a fighter people respect. I don't trash-talk my opponents. That's not who I am. Through the respect I show for my opponent, I want the kids watching now to feel it and make combat sports as a whole cleaner, a stage where purely strong fighters can shine," he said.

Nadaka aims to keep ONE world title in Japan

Nadaka also feels the weight of national pride. With Takeru having retired as interim champion, he is Japan's only active ONE World Champion, and he doesn't plan to let that change.

"Takeru was interim champion and retired, so I'm the only active one. If mine gets taken, there'd be no ONE champion in Japan anymore. I'll defend it for sure, keep the ONE belt in Japan, and show the strength of Japanese combat sports," Nadaka said.