ONE Championship to Host SAMURAI 1 Event in Tokyo

Apr 27, 2026, 06:29

Introduction

On Wednesday, April 29, ONE Championship will conduct the SAMURAI 1 event at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The program features four world title bouts and several high-profile kickboxing matchups.

Main Body

The primary engagement involves a Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship defense by Jonathan Haggerty against Yuki Yoza. Haggerty, returning from a rotator cuff injury, possesses a 73-inch reach and utilizes a linear offensive strategy centered on jabs and teeps to maintain distance. Conversely, Yoza enters the contest with a 13-fight winning streak and a technical specialization in low kicks, specifically targeting the opponent's rear leg. Yoza's approach is further characterized by a Kyokushin Karate background and a preference for fighting without hand wraps to increase wrist mobility for close-quarters striking. Beyond the title bouts, the event includes a featherweight contest between Kaito Ono and Marat Grigorian. This matchup follows a previous cancellation at ONE 172 due to Grigorian failing to meet weight requirements. Ono employs a technical, precision-based style developed under his father's tutelage, while Grigorian utilizes a high-pressure offensive strategy. Grigorian has publicly questioned Ono's readiness for the encounter. Additionally, the flyweight division will feature a bout between the undefeated Hyu and Taiki Naito. Hyu utilizes high-amplitude karate strikes and has expressed a desire to displace Naito's position in the divisional hierarchy. Naito, representing the Bell Wood Fight Team, intends to utilize his experience to counter Hyu's power-centric approach. Finally, Shimon Yoshinari will face Johan Ghazali, a 19-year-old fighter trained in Bangkok known for a high-volume offensive pace and knockout capability.

Conclusion

The SAMURAI 1 event serves as a significant gathering of international striking talent in Tokyo, headlined by the Haggerty-Yoza world title fight and supported by several contested rivalries.

Vocabulary Learning

hierarchy (n.)

ranking system / a system of organization in which people or things are ranked one above another層級制度

Example:Naito aims to climb the divisional hierarchy by defeating top contenders.

high-pressure (adj.)

intense / characterized by intense or demanding conditions高壓

Example:The high-pressure offensive strategy left his opponents scrambling for defense.

knockout (adj.)

decisive blow / a blow that knocks an opponent out擊倒

Example:The fighter's knockout punches earned him a reputation as a lethal striker.

power-centric (adj.)

power-oriented / focused on or centered around power以力量為中心

Example:Hyu's power-centric approach relies heavily on explosive kicks.

tutelage (n.)

mentorship / the guidance or instruction given by a mentor指導

Example:Under his father's tutelage, Ono refined his precision-based striking technique.

Sentence Learning

Haggerty, returning from a rotator cuff injury, possesses a 73-inch reach and utilizes a linear offensive strategy centered on jabs and teeps to maintain distance.

Infinitival Clause: The infinitival clause 'to maintain distance' functions as a purpose clause, indicating the intended outcome of Haggerty's strategy. It follows the main verb phrase and is introduced by the infinitive marker 'to'.不定詞片語: 這個不定詞片語 'to maintain distance' 作為目的性從句，說明 Haggerty 在其策略中所追求的結果。它位於主要動詞片語之後，由不定詞標記 'to' 引導。

Yoza''s approach is further characterized by a Kyokushin Karate background and a preference for fighting without hand wraps to increase wrist mobility for close-quarters striking.

Gerund Phrase: The gerund phrase 'fighting without hand wraps' acts as a noun phrase modifying 'preference', describing the manner in which Yoza prefers to fight. It functions as the object of the preposition 'for'.動名詞片語: 這個動名詞片語 'fighting without hand wraps' 作為名詞片語修飾 'preference'，描述 Yoza 偏好的戰鬥方式。它作為介系詞 'for' 的賓語。

This matchup follows a previous cancellation at ONE 172 due to Grigorian failing to meet weight requirements.

Past Participle Clause: The participial clause 'due to Grigorian failing to meet weight requirements' provides a causal explanation for the previous cancellation. It is introduced by the preposition 'due to' and contains a past participle 'failing'.分詞片語: 這個分詞片語 'due to Grigorian failing to meet weight requirements' 為前一次取消提供因果說明。它由介系詞 'due to' 引導，並包含過去分詞 'failing'。

Hyu utilizes high-amplitude karate strikes and has expressed a desire to displace Naito''s position in the divisional hierarchy.

Nominalization: The nominalization 'a desire to displace' turns the infinitival clause 'to displace' into a noun phrase, allowing it to function as the object of 'has expressed'.名詞化: 這個名詞化 'a desire to displace' 將不定詞片語 'to displace' 轉化為名詞片語，使其能作為 'has expressed' 的賓語。

Yoza enters the contest with a 13-fight winning streak and a technical specialization in low kicks, specifically targeting the opponent's rear leg.

Reduced Relative Clause: The reduced relative clause 'specifically targeting the opponent's rear leg' modifies 'low kicks', providing additional information without using a relative pronoun.縮減關係子句: 這個縮減的關係子句 'specifically targeting the opponent's rear leg' 修飾 'low kicks'，在不使用關係代詞的情況下提供額外資訊。