TLDR
- Suablack will face Shimon Yoshinari at ONE Samurai 3 in Japan
- He earned the fight after a career-saving knockout victory
- Suablack describes Shimon as a ‘monster’ he wants to defeat
- The fighter was close to losing his ONE Championship contract before his recent win
- The bout takes place in Shimon’s home country, giving the Japanese fighter home advantage
Sources: middleeasy.com | sports.yahoo.com | youtube.com
Suablack has set his sights on defeating Shimon Yoshinari at ONE Samurai 3 after securing a career-saving knockout that kept his contract alive. The fighter will now face Shimon in Japan, bringing the challenge directly to his opponent’s backyard.
The matchup comes after Suablack was on the verge of losing his spot with ONE Championship. His recent knockout victory changed everything and earned him another chance to compete at the highest level.
Fighting to Stay Alive
Suablack’s path to this fight was far from easy. He faced the very real possibility of being cut from the promotion before his last performance.
The knockout win not only saved his contract but also put him in position for a high-profile fight against Shimon. The victory gave him new life in his fighting career.
“I want to slay that monster,” Suablack said when discussing the upcoming fight with Shimon. His words show confidence despite the difficult challenge ahead.
The bout takes place at ONE Samurai 3, scheduled to be held in Japan. This gives Shimon Yoshinari a clear home-field advantage with local crowd support.
SUABLACK WITH THE COME BACK!!!🤯🔥
Suablack 🇹🇭 KO’s Stephen Irvine 🏴 in the 2nd round 😮💨
Suablack was knocked down pretty badly in the 1st round and the fight looked to be over, then came the 2nd round where Stephen was chasing the finish and Suablack catches him with a… pic.twitter.com/HXYFhGeFOG
— EsrMuayThai (@esrmuaythai) July 18, 2026
Facing the Challenge in Tokyo
Suablack will need to overcome several obstacles in this fight. Competing in Shimon’s home country adds extra pressure to an already tough matchup.
The fighter has described himself as “reborn” after his recent success. He believes the knockout victory changed his mindset and preparation for future fights.
Shimon Yoshinari enters the fight with his own reputation to defend. Fighting at home in Japan typically brings extra motivation for athletes.
The ONE Samurai 3 event represents a major opportunity for both fighters. For Suablack, it’s a chance to prove his recent win was no fluke.
His career trajectory changed completely in a matter of minutes during his last fight. What looked like a potential exit from ONE Championship became a springboard to bigger opportunities.
The knockout that saved his contract demonstrated the kind of finishing ability that makes fighters valuable to promotions. Suablack will need to show that same skill against Shimon.
Training camps for both fighters are now in full swing as the event approaches. Suablack faces the challenge of preparing for a hostile environment in Japan.
The fighter’s willingness to travel to Shimon’s home turf shows his determination. Many fighters prefer to wait for home fights when possible.
Suablack’s description of Shimon as a “monster” reflects the respect he has for his opponent’s abilities. Despite the tough talk, he acknowledges the difficulty of the challenge.
The upcoming fight at ONE Samurai 3 will determine whether Suablack’s career revival continues or if his knockout win was his final moment in the spotlight. Shimon Yoshinari stands as the biggest test yet for the reborn fighter.
