Bokang Masunyane will return to the strawweight division to face Japanese contender Ryohei Kurosawa on Friday, January 24, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok at ONE Fight Night 39.
The third-ranked South African drops back down to his natural division after a brief flyweight excursion that ended with a decision loss to Sanzhar Zakirov. Masunyane compiled a 4-2 record at 125 pounds highlighted by a 37-second head-kick knockout of former world title challenger Rene Catalan, showcasing the blinding speed and explosive athleticism that made him a divisional threat.
His most recent outing at flyweight demonstrated improvements in his ground game during a gritty three-round battle with Zakirov, though the judges awarded the decision to his opponent. The setback prompted Masunyane's return to strawweight, where he now faces a Japanese fighter charging toward the rankings with momentum.
Kurosawa brings a formidable 20-4 record and former Pancrase Strawweight Championship pedigree into his ONE Championship opportunity. The 32-year-old rode a five-fight winning streak in Japan with four finishes inside two rounds before earning his invitation to compete on ONE Friday Fights, where he immediately made his presence felt.
His September performance at ONE Friday Fights 124 showcased his complete skill set. Kurosawa dominated Filipino standout Jayson Miralpez across three rounds, displaying crisp striking paired with sharp submission instincts to secure a unanimous decision victory. The performance demonstrated the technical proficiency that made him a champion in his homeland.
The matchup presents an interesting stylistic contrast between Masunyane's explosive athleticism and Kurosawa's technical precision. The South African has built his reputation on speed and finishing power, capable of ending fights quickly when he connects cleanly. His 37-second knockout of Catalan exemplified the danger he poses to any opponent at strawweight.
Kurosawa's approach relies on well-rounded skills that blend striking with submission threats. His Pancrase championship experience provides him with the composure to handle high-level competition, while his recent dominant performance against Miralpez showed he can control fights through technical execution rather than relying solely on finishing sequences.
With Joshua Pacio currently holding the ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship, this clash could reveal whether Kurosawa represents a genuine threat to the division's elite or if Masunyane can reaffirm his position among the top contenders. Both fighters seek validation through victory, with Masunyane aiming to bounce back from his flyweight setback and Kurosawa looking to prove his ONE Friday Fights success translates against ranked opposition.
