One of the most anticipated matchups on the ONE 172 card—between Armenian powerhouse Marat Grigorian and Japan’s top shootboxing export Kaito Ono—was officially cancelled just hours before fight night in Tokyo. And now that the dust has settled on an electric evening at the Saitama Super Arena, fans are left wondering: what exactly happened?
The bout was scheduled to be a clash of elite strikers. Grigorian, a three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion fighting out of Hemmers Gym, came into Tokyo with a record of 68 wins, 14 losses, and 40 knockouts—and at 33 years old, was determined to make a statement in what he considers his “second home.” His opponent, 27-year-old Kaito Ono of Team F.O.D., stood across from him as Japan’s highest-profile shootboxer, boasting 59 victories, 8 defeats, and 26 knockouts.
However, drama unfolded at the official weigh-ins. ONE Championship’s strict hydration protocol—designed to ensure fighter safety—requires athletes to both make weight and pass a hydration test. Grigorian, after initially being unable to provide a hydration sample, returned within 45 minutes, successfully hydrated, but tipped the scales at just 0.75 lbs (340 grams) over the limit.
His team immediately proposed a catchweight bout—an entirely common resolution within ONE Championship when fighters miss weight, even by greater margins. However, Kaito and his camp refused to proceed, leading to the cancellation of one of the most anticipated European vs. Japanese showdowns of the season.
Fans were understandably disappointed. In pre-fight interviews, Grigorian had promised fireworks:
“I don’t want to waste the fans’ time. It would be KO or nothing,” he told reporters before the bout.
At the post-event press conference, ONE President Chatri Sityodtong commented on the situation as follows:
“If a fighter wants to fight — he fights. And if he’s scared — he looks for reasons not to.
The biggest underdog on this card was Kaito in the fight against Grigorian. And you saw what he did.
He had a chance to step into the ring, but he refused. I would understand if the weight difference had been significant — but it was less than half a pound.
We still paid him in full, but in my opinion, he didn’t deserve it. I think he should be fighting in a smaller promotion.”
While this one didn’t play out inside the Circle, the rest of the card delivered with impact. Thailand’s Rodtang Jitmuangnon delivered a brutal first-round knockout over Japanese superstar Takeru Segawa in the main event. A single left hook ended the flyweight kickboxing bout at 1:20 of Round 1, after Rodtang had already dropped Takeru with a knockdown earlier in the round.
In the co-main event, Masaaki Noiri defeated Tawanchai PK Saenchai via TKO (referee stoppage due to combination punching) at 1:55 of Round 3 to win the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Title, solidifying his place among the sport’s elite strikers.
As for what’s next for Marat Grigorian, who was originally also considered for a title bout against Tawanchai, fans can rest assured: he’s not going anywhere. Stay tuned—for the next chapter of Grigorian’s journey in ONE.
