Ryohei Kurosawa carries a six-fight winning streak into his strawweight bout against Bokang Masunyane at ONE Fight Night 39 on Friday, January 23, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 32-year-old Japanese fighter believes his momentum and preparation have identified the exact path to victory against the South African wrestler.
Kurosawa arrives with confidence built through three knockout victories during his current streak, including a successful promotional debut against Jayson Miralpez at ONE Friday Fights 124 last September. The decision victory over three rounds launched his ONE Championship tenure positively and positioned him for a step up in competition against Masunyane, who enters seeking to rebound from consecutive decision losses.
The matchup presents clear stylistic contrasts that Kurosawa and his coaching staff at The Blackbelt Japan have studied extensively. Masunyane maximizes his five-foot-one frame through explosive speed and wrestling ability, using timing to neutralize taller opponents and drag fights to the canvas. Kurosawa stands three inches taller at five-foot-four, but recognizes that height advantages disappear once the South African secures takedowns.
"It's a big step up. But I'm excited, and I'm ready. I'm prepared to continue winning," Kurosawa stated. "I'd say he's one of the toughest opponents. He's also constantly improved his grappling skills. So, that's why I feel he will be tough."
His preparation focused specifically on countering Masunyane's wrestling foundation. Kurosawa trained with partners matching the South African's physical build and movement patterns, simulating the strength and speed that make Masunyane dangerous when fights move to grappling exchanges. The camp centered on defending takedowns and maintaining distance against an opponent whose game plan requires closing space quickly.
"Bokang is really good with his wrestling and grappling, and he's really fast. I've tried to find a similar-sized body type that is built like Bokang Masunyane for this fight camp," Kurosawa explained. "That's where my focus has been. I've been trying to focus on similar movements like him, like I tried to match how physically strong he is on the ground."
Beyond defensive preparation, Kurosawa has identified what he believes is a window of opportunity that emerges as fights progress. His film study revealed cardio patterns across Masunyane's three-round performances, showing that the South African's explosive first-round output can create openings later if opponents survive the early pressure. The Japanese fighter has visualized his path to victory materializing in the final round after weathering Masunyane's most dangerous moments.
"In all of his fights I watched, he's really quick. So I think I'll need to slow it down a bit, maybe in the first round. From round two, I can overwhelm him and maybe strike him to finish him," Kurosawa said. "I have an image of me knocking him out. That's been on my mind. Maybe a knockout in the third round."
The confidence in his finish prediction doesn't translate to complacency. Kurosawa studied Masunyane's recent losses to Sanzhar Zakirov and Mansur Malachiev with the same intensity as his victories, searching for weaknesses while acknowledging the South African's capabilities even in defeat. The analysis reinforced that Masunyane remains dangerous despite the consecutive setbacks.
"In both of his past losses, he did pretty okay. Maybe if he had brought a better game plan, he would have won. I'm not underestimating him," Kurosawa noted. "I know he'll want to win this fight, so he'll come in with more than 100 percent focus."
The fight carries significance beyond personal advancement for Kurosawa, who views his ONE Championship performances as representing Japan on the global stage. His approach centers on proving that Japanese fighters can compete successfully at the highest levels while carrying his nation's flag through the strawweight division. Victory would extend his winning streak to seven and validate his credentials against an opponent who previously competed near title contention before recent struggles.
"It'll be important for me to continue winning and representing Japan in the best possible way. I want to make my country proud, and the best way to do that is to get a win in this next fight," Kurosawa stated.
