ONE Championship recently hosted a press conference in Tokyo to preview the upcoming ONE 173 event, scheduled for November 16 in Japan.
A major announcement made at the press conference confirmed that Superbon and Masaaki Noiri will collide in the main event at ONE 173. This highly anticipated bout is a title unification fight for the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship. Noiri earned his shot at the undisputed title by previously defeating Tawanchai at ONE 172 to capture the interim belt.
The co-main event is set to feature a rematch between the reigning undisputed ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion, `Reug Reug` Oumar Kane, and former champion Anatoly Malykhin.
ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong also revealed that Japanese fighting sensations Takeru and Nadaka Yoshinari are slated to compete on the ONE 173 card. Their respective opponents for the event will be announced at a later date.
Adding to the excitement, Takeru has publicly challenged Rodtang to a rematch, proposing unconventional rules such as open-finger glove boxing or even bare-knuckle rules. Rodtang has reportedly expressed willingness to accept Takeru`s challenge under any ruleset he proposes. The two previously met in March, where Rodtang secured a decisive first-round knockout victory.
Additionally, Yuki Yoza, who is scheduled to face Petchtanong on July 18, made an appearance at the press conference. It was confirmed that the winner of their July clash will receive a shot at Jonathan Haggerty`s ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship at ONE 173. This announcement brings the current number of confirmed title fights for the event to three.
ONE 173 is scheduled to take place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on November 16. Further fight announcements are expected in the coming weeks as the event approaches.
Oliver Croft 
Jack Thornley