Marat Grigorian Gets Free Pass But Now Masaaki Noiri Awaits
Marat Grigorian flew to Tokyo expecting to fight. Instead, he left Ariake Arena with a place in a tournament final and a lingering sense of frustration.
The three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion was set to meet “The Handsome White Dragon” Luo Chao in the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament semifinals at ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17. Luo missed weight at the official weigh-ins the day before, sending the Armenian through without throwing a punch.
For a 35-year-old who has always gone straight at his opponents, advancing that way felt hollow. He did not hide how he felt about it.
“I was angry, frustrated, and deeply disappointed. I worked incredibly hard throughout my training camp, made weight, and came to Tokyo fully prepared to put on a great fight for the Japanese fans,” Grigorian said.
“They deserve fighters who give everything – not only inside the ring, but also in their preparation. I came to Tokyo to fight and to put on a show. I didn’t come just to advance to the final because someone else failed to do his job.”
His night was not wasted, though. The Hemmers Gym standout watched closely as former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri earned a split decision over Mohammad Siasarani to claim the other place in the final, then stepped into theCircle to share a moment with him.
Grigorian has won four straight, most recently becoming the first man to beat Mamuka Usubyan in ONE at The Inner Circle 25 in August. The tournament winner earns a guaranteed shot at ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon, a man the Armenian hasmet three times before.
The final will take place at a future ONE SAMURAI event. Whenever it comes, Grigorian sees it as a meeting of two very different careers that have finally converged.
“This is a match the fans have been waiting for a long time. Two experienced fighters, two different journeys, and now we finally meet in the tournament final,” he said.
“I hope he comes in at his absolute best, because that’s exactly what I’m bringing into that ring.”
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