ONE Samurai 1 Staff Picks: Dominant Flyweight Champion Defends Strap for Second Time
ONE Samurai is gearing up to put on a blockbuster show at the Ariake Arena. Taking top billing for the mixed martial arts portion of the card, flyweight champion Yuya Wakamatsu defends his title against top-rated finisher Avazbek Kholmirzaev.
ONE Samurai 1 is gearing up to put on a blockbuster show at the Ariake Arena. Taking top billing for the mixed martial arts portion of the card, flyweight champion Yuya Wakamatsu defends his title against top-rated finisher Avazbek Kholmirzaev. Also, Ayaka Miura and Chihiro Sawada battle it out in an entertaining atomweight clash.
ONE Samurai 1: Wakamatsu vs. Kholmirzaev
For the past four years, Wakamatsu has embarked on a reign of terror through the 135-lb division. Capturing the strap by violently starching Adriano Moraes, “Little Piranha” has devoured contender after contender on his journey towards the top.
For much of his run in ONE, Kholmirzaev has proven to be a dangerous adversary, stopping nearly every man he has crossed paths with in the ring. Backed by a six-fight win streak, “Ninzya” is looking to snatch the belt in dramatic fashion.
ONE Samurai 1: Miura vs. Sawada
A grizzled veteran of over 20 bouts, Miura has enjoyed a stellar career in the promotion, currently holding a ONE Championship record of 9-3. Undefeated for almost three years, “Zombie” rises to the challenge once again to solidify her status as a top women’s strawweight contender.
Joining the organisation in 2024, Sawada had made her name as an amazing atomweight champion. Moving up in weight upon her entry into ONE, she has gone 5-1 in her new weight category, with the championship seemingly in arm’s reach.
More Bouts On the ONE Samurai 1 Main Card
Other MMA fights on the main card include Itsuki Hirata versus Ritu Phogat. Then, Tatsumitsu Wada tackles Seiichiro Ito. Also, Keito Yamakita goes up against Ryohei Kurosawa. Finally, Kanata Nagai and Atsuya Kanbe kick off the event in the opening match of the night.
ONE Samurai 1 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
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UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
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PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
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ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
Find our ONE Samurai 1 pick and fight odds below.
1. Hank Strandberg: 51-32
2. Frazer Krohn: 50-34
3. Drew Zuhosky: 40-42
4. Andrew Benjamin: 11-10
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Kanata Nagai -240
Vs.
Atsuya Kanbe +205
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Nagai by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Kanbe by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Nagal by First-Round Submission
Staff picking Nagai: 2
Staff picking Kanbe: 1
Keito Yamakita -190
Vs.
Ryohei Kurosawa +165
STRAWWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Yamakita by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Kurosawa by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Kurosawa by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Yamakita: 1
Staff picking Kurosawa: 2
Tatsumitsu Wada -140
Vs.
Seiichiro Ito +120
FLYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Wada by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Wada by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Ito by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Wada: 2
Staff picking Ito: 1
Itsuki Hirata -140
Vs.
Ritu Phogat +120
ATOMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Hirata by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Phogat by Second-Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Hirata by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Hirata: 2
Staff picking Phogat: 1
Chihiro Sawada -200
Vs.
Ayaka Miura +170
ATOMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Sawada by Second Round Submission
Frazer Krohn: Sawada by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Sawada by First-Round Submission
Staff picking Sawada: 3
Staff picking Miura: 0
Yuya Wakamatsu -140
Vs.
Avazbek Kholmirzaev +120
FLYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Wakamatsu by First-Round Knockout/p>
Frazer Krohn: Wakamatsu by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Wakamatsu by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Wakamatsu: 3
Staff picking Kholmirzaev: 0
