Undefeated Hyu Promises Destruction Against Suablack, Calls Out Superlek and Rodtang
Hyu Iwata doesn’t just want to win fights — he wants to hunt the biggest names in combat sports and leave no doubt about his place among the elite. The undefeated Japanese kickboxer has torn through four opponents since his ONE Championship debut last September, finishing three of them with brutal precision that’s caught the attention of everyone watching the flyweight division.
Now the 23-year-old karateka sets his sights on Thai veteran Suablack Tor Pran49 at ONE Fight Night 41 on March 13, viewing this clash as the next stepping stone toward confrontations with megastars like Superlek and Rodtang. For the Osaka native representing Team Mehdi Zatout and TEAM3K, every fight is audition footage for the championship opportunities and super-fights that consume his thoughts.
Suablack brings legitimate credentials to Lumpinee Stadium that March evening. The 29-year-old Thai carries a formidable 62-22 striking record and owns victories over renowned names like Seksan Or Kwanmuang and Sangarthit Looksaikongdin. His legendary thighs and explosive fighting style have made him a social media sensation, the kind of viral presence that transcends the sport’s hardcore fan base.
But Hyu dismisses internet fame as irrelevant against technical superiority and finishing ability. The Japanese prospect respects Suablack’s accomplishments but believes his karate-based striking will systematically break down the Thai veteran in ways that opponents simply haven’t managed before.
“I feel like he is a proven, high-level guy who’s been doing well in ONE,” Hyu said. “Just look at his thighs — he’s clearly built differently, not someone who goes down easily. I think it’ll be a really exciting fight. Like a karate athlete, I’m going to hurt him and break him down.”
That confidence stems from an unblemished 12-0 professional record and a promotional slate that’s seen him demolish every challenge placed before him. Each performance has built his reputation as one of the flyweight kickboxing division’s most dangerous strikers, his finishing instincts translating into spectacular knockouts that demand bigger opportunities.
For Hyu, this fight with Suablack represents more than just maintaining his perfect record. A commanding performance against the battle-tested veteran would solidify his position as a top contender and potentially earn him a spot on one of the organization’s biggest cards this year — the kind of platform that separates prospects from championship-caliber threats.
“Suablack is a fighter who’s already faced top-tier athletes, so I want to beat him in a convincing way and use that to earn a spot on a Japan event, or even the U.S. event,” Hyu said.
Beyond Suablack lies the true targets of Hyu’s ambition. He’s studied ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek and former ONE flyweight Muay Thai king Rodtang extensively, convinced his unique style presents matchup problems neither megastar has encountered. The Japanese fighter sees opportunities to create legacy-defining moments that would cement his place among the best, believing his technical brilliance translates across both kickboxing and Muay Thai.
His goals for 2026 are crystal clear — capture the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title, then chase super-fights against the division’s biggest names regardless of rule set. The idea of competing in Muay Thai with 4-ounce gloves excites him, another arena to prove his finishing ability against the sport’s most celebrated warriors.
“As a Japanese fighter, I truly believe I’m the one who can fight Rodtang and Superlek and win in a beautiful, decisive way,” Hyu said. “That’s what I’m aiming for — win the belt this year, and I think it’d be interesting to fight in Muay Thai [with the four-ounce gloves] as well.”
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