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Masaaki Noiri feels like he let a lot of people down after his forgettable promotional debut at ONE 167 last June.
After dominating Japan's striking circuit, all eyes were on Noiri when he met legendary Thai fighter Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong in a three-round featherweight kickboxing affair.
The 31-year-old newcomer had the opportunity to make an immediate impact if he could take out the credentialed 'Killer Kid', who has long been a mainstay in the home of martial arts' loaded 155-pound Muay Thai and kickboxing ranks.
Shockingly, the dynamic Noiri didn't have the usual pep in his strikes and got outclassed by Sitthichai from start to finish.
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In an interview with ONE Championship, the Team Vasileus star admitted that the global stage's lights were too bright for him.
“In my last fight, for better or worse, I was a bit too excited, but this time, [my trainer] says that if I can be my usual self, things will go well.”
Masaaki Noiri also praised his Thai foe for dictating the pace of the match, adding:
“It was my first time on a stage I’d always dreamed of. Plus, it was at such a big event. And my opponent was a ranked fighter, Sitthichai. My hunger and my eagerness were lacking a bit, and I ended up fighting at my opponent’s pace.”
Masaaki Noiri can rectify his mistakes at ONE Friday Fights 92
In less than 24 hours, Masaaki Noiri will get a shot at redemption in the promotion's final event of 2024.
The Japanese slugger will trade heavy leather with China's 'Spirit Dragon' Liu Mengyang in a featherweight kickboxing tiff at ONE Friday Fights 92: Sitthichai vs Shadow inside the iconic 'Mecca of Muay Thai' Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
For Noiri, this pivotal match-up could very well determine if he's a legitimate contender in arguably the promotion's most talent-stacked striking division.
ONE Friday Fights 92 will air live in Asian Primetime on December 20 in more than 190 countries around the globe.
