ONE Championship returns to Japan with ONE 173 on 16th November
ONE Championship will make its second Japanese pilgrimage of 2025 when ONE 173 takes centre stage in Tokyo, Japan.
ONE has confirmed that Sunday, 16th November, will see the promotion return to Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, with another blockbuster card featuring the globe’s elite combat sports athletes expected to light up the venue once again.
Japan has become a fortress for ONE Championship’s marquee events, consistently delivering unforgettable spectacles that showcase the very best of mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, and kickboxing.
The promotion’s most recent Japanese expedition came in March with ONE 172: Rodtang vs. Takeru, at the legendary Saitama Super Arena, where 15,000 roaring fans generated a gate exceeding US$2 million.
That card delivered fireworks from start to finish, headlined by former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s devastating 80-second annihilation of Takeru Segawa that left the Japanese crowd stunned.
The home faithful found their voice when Yuya Wakamatsu finally clinched the ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship by bulldozing through multiple-time flyweight MMA king Adriano Moraes to claim the throne in the opening frame.
Masaaki Noiri shocked the world also shocked the world that night. He knocked out featherweight Muay Thai king Tawanchai PK Saenchai in the third round to become the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion.
Ariake Arena previously hosted ONE Championship magic in January 2023 at ONE 165, where ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 weathered a storm from Japanese sensation and promotional debutant Takeru Segawa.
“The Kicking Machine” showcased his championship mettle across five gruelling rounds, ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory despite Takeru’s best efforts to dethrone the Thai king.
ONE Championship’s Japanese ventures have become synonymous with explosive action and unforgettable moments, a tradition set to continue with an increasingly impressive roster of Japanese stars including K-1 Champion Yuki Yoza, Kaito, and Nadaka Yoshinari.
Fight announcements for ONE 173 are anticipated in the coming weeks. The pre-sale ticket lottery is currently live and gives fans the chance to purchase tickets before July’s general release, allowing them to select up to 10 tickets per application.
Fans selected through the lottery will receive a link to their mailbox. The chance-based system is open until Wednesday, 18th June and winners will receive a notification on Saturday, 21st June. You can sign up for the pre-sale lottery ticket here.
READ MORE: Flyweight and Bantamweight Muay Thai divisions are vacant in ONE: Who will be the next champions?
Recent posts
