ONE Championship: Naito demands Takeru bout – ‘I’m underrated, he’s overrated’
Japanese up-and-comer wants bout with compatriot at ONE 173, when promotion returns to Tokyo in November
Rising contender Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito has demanded a place on the ONE 173 card when ONE Championship returns to Japan in November
While no fights have been officially confirmed, Naito is campaigning hard for what would be the biggest opportunity of his career – a homecoming clash with compatriot Takeru Segawa.
“I want to fight at ONE 173,” Naito told the Post. “And it would be great if I could compete with Takeru in Japan.
“I haven’t fought in Japan for a long time, but I want to show my progress in my home country.”
Naito, 29, is coming off a statement win over previously unbeaten Johan Estupinan at ONE Fight Night 32 in Bangkok. He floored the Colombian with a sharp counter left in round two and earned a majority decision after three rounds of composed, counter-heavy Muay Thai.
“I had been on a two-match losing streak,” he said. “But I was able to beat an undefeated opponent and show new possibilities for myself.”