On December 20, 2024, the martial arts event ONE Friday Fights 92 was hosted at Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok, featuring notable matches, including one involving Masaaki Noiri, the former K-1 champion. Facing Chinese contender Liu Menyang, Noiri experienced setbacks culminating in a disappointing unanimous decision loss, marking his second consecutive defeat since joining ONE Championship.
The stakes were high for the 30-year-old Noiri, who was eager to secure his first victory since making the switch from K-1 to ONE. Having lost his debut fight against the highly-ranked Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong back in June, his hopes rested on this bout against Menyang, who was making his debut as well.
From the onset of the fight, Menyang exhibited aggressive tactics aimed at taking control. Just 20 seconds in, Noiri found himself knocked down by Menyang's powerful right hand, catching him off guard. Despite managing to get back up, Noiri struggled to adjust to Menyang's relentless pressure as the round progressed. Even as Noiri attempted to land impactful strikes—including knee shots and body punches—Menyang effectively countered and maintained the upper hand.
By the second round, Noiri was frequently cornered against the ropes, pressured by Menyang's forward movement and having difficulty executing his game plan effectively. He showcased resilience, retaliatory strikes, and even landed several knees, but was unable to shift the fight dynamics significantly. The third round held more promise as Noiri landed body shots and knee kicks, leading to moments where it appeared he began to find his rhythm. Unfortunately, a low blow momentarily halted proceedings and seemed to sap Noiri's momentum.
Despite his efforts to mount a comeback, Noiri could not reclaim control, and Menyang's defensive strategies mitigated any sustained advantage Noiri could create. The final bell rang, and the judges scored the bout 3-0, securing Menyang's victory.
The analysis of the fight underscored how Menyang's early knockdown set the tone, allowing him to dictate terms as Noiri was effectively forced to play catch-up. Former K-1 producer and commentator Takumi Nakamura remarked on the highly tactical approach displayed by Menyang and how Noiri appeared to fall victim to his adversary's strategy.
Noiri's loss prompted immediate reflections on his adaptation to the new league after his impressive career at K-1, where he held titles across two weight classes and built significant acclaim. Both Noiri and his teammates, including famous fighter Takeru, consistently train to fine-tune their abilities for the competition, ensuring they are combat-ready.
Looking at Noiri's performance and the potential hurdles he may face, there are discussions around whether he is suited to the competitive pressures of the ONE Championship environment. His record now stands at two losses, bringing forth concerns over his ability to reclaim his top-tier status.
Elsewhere during the event, fellow former K-1 women’s flyweight champion KANA also made her ONE Championship debut but was unable to clinch victory, losing to Anissa Meksen, another prominent fighter, by decision.
Noiri's future direction rests on his ability to adapt quickly, improve upon lessons learned from these two fights, and reassess his strategies to come back stronger for upcoming matches as he continues within ONE Championship.
