Marat Grigorian Promises Violence, Luo Chao Predicts a Knockout at ONE SAMURAI 4
Kickboxing legend Marat Grigorian and Chinese sensation Luo Chao have made their intentions clear ahead of their ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament semifinal.
The two will collide at ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17, live from Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, with a spot in the tournament final and a shot at ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon's title on the line.
It will stream exclusively on live.onefc.com.
Masaaki Noiri and Mohammad Siasarani meet in the second semifinal on the same card. The athletes who entered the quarterfinals in August are now down to the final four, and October 17 will produce the two finalists who will fight for the right to challenge Superbon.
Grigorian Did Not Study Luo's Style and Is Not Worried About It
The Armenian legend has taken a characteristically uncomplicated approach to his semifinal opponent. Grigorian has not invested time in footage study and feels no need to justify that decision, though he has acknowledged what little he did observe.
"I never watched his fights or studied his style. Why do I need to bother? I have experience. I didn't even fully watch his fight . But from the little bit I watched, he's fast and throws a lot of combinations. So, I'm not underestimating him," Grigorian said.
Grigorian, 35, from Hemmers Gym, defeated Mamuka Usubyan in the quarterfinal to extend a four-fight winning streak. The three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion and former ONE World Title challenger brings a 71-14 career record and an 8-3 ONE mark into the semifinal.
Luo Predicts a Win Over Grigorian, Already Looked Ahead to the Final
The 25-year-old Chinese fighter has not arrived in Tokyo with any intention of letting the occasion or the opponent's reputation restrict his ambitions. Luo has delivered a prediction that extends beyond the semifinal and into the final itself.
"Of course, I believe I will win against Marat, and then I believe I would face Masaaki Noiri in the final. I predict a victory, and I would try my best to win the fight with a knockout, or at least a knockdown," he explained.
Six consecutive ONE Championship wins and the quarterfinal victory over Takagi give Luo the platform to back that confidence with results. Luo, 25, from Shengli Fight Club, carries a 44-11 career record and a 6-1 ONE mark to Tokyo.
Grigorian Promises to Stick to Violence at ONE SAMURAI 4
The Armenian's game plan for the semifinal can be summarized in one word, and he has delivered it without any attempt at tactical complexity.
"I will stick to violence. But it also depends on his game plan. If he runs away, then maybe will take longer. But I promise to give fans a really good fight. I will try to knock him out, and we'll see how it goes," he said.
A four-fight winning streak and the experience of navigating high-stakes kickboxing matches across decades of professional competition give Grigorian the composure to promise violence and mean it. Luo's plan to counter with a knockout of his own makes the semifinal one of the more explosive matchups on the ONE SAMURAI 4 card.
Watch the ONE SAMURAI 4 live at 1:30 p.m. ICT/2:30 a.m. ET exclusively via live.onefc.com.
