ONE 167 results: Sitthichai vs. Masaaki Noiri

Number three-rated featherweight kickboxing contender Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong officially welcomed former K1 champion and Japanese star Masaaki Noiri to the world's largest martial arts organization at the ONE 167 card on Saturday morning.

The Thai star wanted to retain his spot in the top five rankings and spoil the Japanese's debut in ONE Championship by maximizing his wealth of experience fighting under the bright lights of the global stage inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

See the blow-by-blow action and official result below.

Round 1: Sitthichai immediately fired a warning roundhouse kick to the head. But Noiri retaliated by marching forward and attacking the Thai with leg kicks and body kicks. Sitthichai countered the pressure by teeing him off with multiple leg kicks and knee strikes.

But Noiri continued to push forward and closed the distance. The biggest moment of the round was Sitthichai's left straight punch that snapped Masaaki's head back. Both exchanged powerful body kicks at the tail end of the opening round.

Round 2: It was the same story in the opening phase of the second round, with Noiri pressuring and Sitthichai countering. The Thai hit the Japanese with a clean teep, sending him crashing down the mat and disrupting his flow. Sitthichai is finding holes in Noiri's high guard defense by firing uppercuts and knee strikes straight to his opponent's chin.

Noiri relentlessly moved forward but was on the receiving end of crisp combinations from Sitthichai.

Round 3: Sitthichai sustained his production and volume, which frustrated Noiri in the beginning phase of the third round. Noiri sustained his aggressiveness and was landing damaging punches from time to time. With seemingly the knowledge of being up on the judges' scorecards, Sitthichai played it safe in the latter part of the final round and may have cruised his way into a decision victory.

ONE 167 - Sitthichai vs. Masaaki Noiri official result

A rude welcome was gifted by Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong to ONE Championship debutant Masaaki Noiri as he eked out a unanimous decision nod from the judges for his fifth win under the promotion.

The Thai striking maestro has retained his spot in the division's rankings as the third-best contender. He thrilled the home fans inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, and he now guns a potential world title run.

Sitthicahi Sitsongpeenong defeated Masaaki Noiri via unanimous decision in their featherweight kickboxing match.