Japanese slugger Hyu “Mister Pepper” is out to build another magical run on the global stage when he meets promotional newcomer Hyuma “Star Of The Shibuya” Hitachi in a flyweight kickboxing matchup at ONE SAMURAI 3, which touches down at Yokohama Buntai on Saturday, September 12.
Their flyweight kickboxing clash joins the third edition of ONE Championship’s blockbuster Japanese series, a spectacle that will see reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka make his promotional kickboxing debut and Shimon Yoshinari meet Suablack Tor Pran49 in an explosive flyweight Muay Thai battle.
Hyu heads into this one determined to put his first career setback behind him. He tore through his first five appearances on the global stage, four of which ended in knockouts against Leandro “Gorilla” Miranda, Zakaria El Jamari, Jordan “Panda Kick” Estupinan, and Suablack.
That momentum, unfortunately, came crashing down at ONE SAMURAI 1, where fellow countryman Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito overcame him after an entertaining three-round tiff inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.
“Mister Pepper” used his trademark speed and unorthodox attacks throughout the fight. But Naito had an answer for everything the young gun brought to the table.
The 23-year-old has never lacked confidence, though, and that self-belief has not wavered despite the setback. If anything, the loss has sharpened his focus heading into a matchup against another dangerous Japanese kickboxer.
Victory here would be the perfect opportunity to remind everyone why he is considered one of the best strikers of this generation. However, standing across from him is a fighter with no shortage of firepower of his own.
Hitachi steps in for his ONE Championship debut carrying a reputation built almost entirely on relentless boxing combinations, a skill set the 28-year-old sharpened after picking up the sweet science specifically to complement his kickboxing background.
That decision has paid dividends throughout his career, headlined by an impressive knockout of Yuki Kasahara, a performance that showed just how comfortable he is walking into hostile territory and getting the job done regardless of the circumstances.
The Target Shibuya representative likes to press forward from the opening bell, letting his hands fly in rapid combinations that rarely leave room for a slow start or a cautious feeling-out process.
His intense aggression has made him a difficult stylistic puzzle for plenty of opponents across his career, and there is little reason to think his debut in the world’s largest martial arts organization will look any different.
That contrast in styles should make for a thrilling contest once their flyweight kickboxing matchup gets underway at ONE SAMURAI 3.
Hyu has always thrived off improvisation, finding creative angles the moment a fight opens up, while Hitachi prefers to close distance early and let his boxing dictate the pace from the very first exchange. Different approaches, same relentless intent.