Decorated Japanese kickboxer Masaaki Noiri knows he’ll be facing nothing less than elite competition in ONE Championship.

The 30-year-old will soon make his hotly anticipated promotional debut, as he’s set to take on Thailand’s Sitthichai “Killer Kid” Sitsongpeenong in a featherweight kickboxing tilt live on U.S. primetime on June 7 at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II on Prime Video.

That bout will go down on Sitthichai’s home turf at the Impact Arena in Bangkok.

Masaaki Noiri gives his opinion on Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong

A two-division K-1 Champion and former WBC Muay Thai Japan Champion, Noiri has done plenty to establish himself as a world-class talent, but competing alongside the best of the best in ONE is a serious step up.

To that end, he admits that Sitthichai will be the most dangerous opponent he’s faced yet, “ONE really has gathered the world’s top fighters from across the different promotions, which is why I wanted to challenge myself on this stage. I have the confidence to win here, which is why I came to challenge them.

“Sitthichai has been a famous, strong fighter for a long time with great technique. He’s the model of a southpaw fighter. 

“He got knocked out in his last fight against Marat Grigorian, but over the course of his career, he’s still a very strong fighter with more wins. For me, he’s the strongest opponent I’ve faced so far.”

Obviously, Noiri respects what “Killer Kid” will bring to the Circle on June 7. He’s well-aware of Sitthichai’s veteran savvy, clean technique, and shocking power.

The Japanese star gives his gameplan for ONE 167

Still, the Japanese fighter sees a clear path to victory at ONE 167. He plans to crowd Sitthichai and punish him with close-range weapons like body shots and knee strikes.

Noiri broke down his game plan against the Thai, “Sitthichai’s strength is not deviating from his style until the end. Not fighting at an unnatural distance for him. Even against Grigorian when he got closed down, he could still fundamentally fight his fight, which is a strength. 

“His weakness is defense when the distance gets closed. Last time he got caught with a body shot for the KO loss, so that will be an area to target this fight. 

“He won’t want to fight at my range, he’ll want to keep his distance. So from his perspective, it may be an unfavorable matchup.”