ONE Championship (ONE) announced the launch of ONE Samurai, a revolutionary monthly event series dedicated to Japan’s elite warriors and next-gen phenoms.
The “Home of Martial Arts” is officially setting up shop in the land of the Rising Sun. At a high-octane press conference held inside the historic Kanda Myojin Hall,
This isn’t just another expansion; it’s a full-scale takeover. With a commitment to produce 60 events over the next five years, ONE Samurai is set to become the heartbeat of Japanese combat sports, covering MMA, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Submission Grappling.
In a strategic power move, ONE introduced Shuntaro Tanaka as the new CEO of Japan & Group Chief Commercial Officer. Tanaka-san will lead the charge, overseeing market development and the commercial growth of the group as they look to cement their status as the dominant force in the Japanese market.
ONE Samurai isn’t playing second fiddle. Each event is slated to feature:
- Multiple World Title Fights: A heavy emphasis on Japanese gold.
- Global Superstars: International icons sharing the stage with local heroes.
- U-NEXT Exclusive: All events will stream live on Japan’s leading platform, reaching over 12 million subscribers.
“This marks a definitive new chapter. We are building on the success of our past Tokyo shows to create a consistent, high-level platform for Japanese athletes to showcase their spirit to the world.” — ONE Championship Statement
The press conference was a “who’s who” of Japanese combat excellence. Flanking the executives were the warriors who define the new era:
- Yuya Wakamatsu: The reigning ONE Flyweight MMA King.
- Nadaka Yoshinari: The phenom and ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion.
- Takeru Segawa: The legendary three-division K-1 Champion.
- Yuki Yoza: The former K-1 powerhouse.
With these names attached, the quality of ONE Samurai is guaranteed to be “Triple-A” from night one.
The inaugural ONE Samurai event will ignite the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on April 29. As the first of 60 planned events, expect a “Golden Week” fireworks display as ONE looks to prove why they are the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Credit Photo : ONE
