Masaaki Noiri Carries A Nation’s Torch Into His Rematch With Liu Mengyang
Some losses fade with time. Masaaki Noiri’s has only burned hotter.
The Japanese veteran rematches “Spirit Dragon” Liu Mengyang in the quarterfinals of the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament at ONE SAMURAI 2, broadcasting live from Tokyo’s EBARA WAVE Arena Ota on Saturday, August 8.
Their first encounter in December 2024 handed the 33-year-old his second straight ONE Championship loss, the first time consecutive defeats had ever marked his career.
Noiri has replayed every detail of that night since, and he does not shy away from how much it still stings.
“Since our first fight, he has put together a winning streak and continued competing consistently. I’m sure he has gained experience and become a better fighter. But I believe I have improved even more. The humiliation I experienced that night has to be repaid more than double,” he said.
“I know people are expecting me to score a knockout. No matter how the fight unfolds, I want to put him down and win.”
That fight itself was chaos from the opening bell. Liu stepped in on short notice, and Noiri admits he prepared for an entirely different fighter than the one who actually showed up.
“So I built my strategy around facing that type of fighter. But when he fought me, he closed the distance and pressured me throughout the fight. It was completely different from what I had expected,” he said.
This time, Noiri and Team Vasileus have left nothing to chance, preparing for both versions of Liu that could walk into the ring.
Beyond personal redemption, Noiri feels the weight of something larger. He was present for the first ONE SAMURAI event, and after Takeru’s recent retirement, the Japanese legend personally charged Noiri and Yuki Yoza with carrying the country’s striking scene forward.
That responsibility, paired with his own unfinished business against reigning champion Superbon, gives August 8 a significance that goes well beyond one quarterfinal bout.
“Everything is in place for an incredible story. Now it is up to me to deliver the results.”
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