Gilbert Nakatani meets Banma Duoji in a flyweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 40 on February 13 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, with both fighters seeking consistent success after mixed promotional results. The 32-year-old Japanese-American competitor looks to build on his first ONE Championship victory while the Chinese finisher aims for stability to match his finishing capabilities.
Nakatani arrived in ONE Championship with an 8-1 professional record that established him as a prospect worth watching from the American regional scene. His promotional debut presented an immediate test against Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE Fight Night 26 in December 2024, where he pushed the future flyweight titleholder through three rounds before dropping a unanimous decision. The competitive performance against an opponent who would capture gold months later demonstrated Nakatani's capabilities despite the loss.
His next outing against Jeremy Miado at ONE Fight Night 28 produced another unanimous decision defeat, though the California native showed improvements from his debut. The back-to-back losses left him searching for his first promotional victory until November's ONE Fight Night 37, where he dominated Indonesian national wrestling standout Eko Roni Saputra with ground strikes to secure the finish and open his win account.
Banma brings a 15-3 professional record featuring 14 finishes into the matchup, showcasing consistent finishing ability throughout his career. The southpaw striker from Chengdu carries knockout power that has made him dangerous in every appearance, though his promotional tenure has produced inconsistent results since arriving in 2021.
His ONE Championship debut ended in a TKO loss to former strawweight titleholder Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke before rebounding with a unanimous decision victory over Walter Goncalves. Banma then faced another setback via unanimous decision against Danial Williams at ONE Fight Night 25, highlighting the pattern of alternating outcomes that has defined his promotional run.
His most recent performance at ONE Fight Night 29 in March 2025 saw him stop Joshua Perreira via first-round TKO, though the result was later changed to a no-contest. The overturned victory adds another layer of inconsistency to Banma's record despite his finishing capabilities remaining evident throughout his appearances.
The matchup presents contrasting needs for both competitors. Nakatani seeks to establish momentum after finally securing his first promotional win, using the Saputra victory as a foundation for climbing the flyweight rankings. His wrestling background and ground striking proved effective in November, providing a blueprint for success if he can implement similar game plans against higher-level opposition.
Banma requires the type of clear, decisive victory that translates his finishing ability into consistent promotional success. His 14 finishes across 15 wins demonstrate the danger he presents when fights unfold favorably, but his alternating pattern of wins and losses suggests difficulty maintaining performance levels against elite competition. A convincing performance on February 13 would establish him as a legitimate contender rather than a fighter capable of occasional highlights between defeats.
The February bout determines whether Nakatani can build the winning streak necessary for divisional relevance or if one victory represents the ceiling of his promotional trajectory. For Banma, success would break the pattern of inconsistent results and validate his finishing credentials against an opponent riding positive momentum from a recent victory.
Both fighters understand that the flyweight division's competitive landscape requires sustained success rather than isolated performances. Victory at ONE Fight Night 40 provides the winner with credibility earned through defeating an opponent seeking similar advancement, while defeat raises questions about long-term viability among the division's contenders.
