“I just need this win” - Marat Grigorian confident a win over Rukiya Anpo will book him another shot at gold

Marat Grigorian knows exactly where a victory over Rukiya Anpo leads, and he's ready to seize the opportunity.

The 34-year-old Armenian striker, a former three-time Glory world champion, faces promotional newcomer Anpo at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside the Ariake Arena on Sunday, Nov. 16.

In a pre-fight interview before they collide in a featherweight kickboxing tiff, the Hemmers Gym affiliate opened up about his path back to world title contention and what beating the former K-1 champion would mean for his world championship aspirations.

"I'm already there [in the World Title picture]. I just need this win, continue winning, and warm my hands up for fighting Superbon or Noiri," Marat Grigorian told the promotion.

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"Whoever wins, I don't care. I just want that ONE World Title. That's it."

Grigorian's views show that a win over Anpo could be the final hurdle before he earns his third shot at ONE Championship gold.

With Superbon and Masaaki Noiri unifying the ONE featherweight kickboxing world title in the main event of ONE 173, a win for Grigorian becomes essential to position himself as the next challenger for whoever emerges victorious.

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Marat Grigorian must handle business against dangerous debutant first

While Marat Grigorian maps out his path to another title shot, he cannot afford to overlook the immediate threat standing in front of him. Anpo makes his promotional debut with supreme confidence and bold proclamations, representing exactly the type of dangerous opponent who could derail his dreams of hoisting 26 pounds of gold inside the Circle.

The Japanese striker has made no secret of his world title aspirations, too, and views Grigorian as a stepping stone rather than an obstacle in his bid to secure a fight against the winner of the Superbon-Noiri clash.

Could Grigorian secure another crack at 26 pounds of gold with a stellar display in Tokyo, or will Anpo stun the kickboxing legend inside the Ariake Arena?

Tickets for the spectacle are available here. Meanwhile, watch.onefc.com has all the how-to-watch details for ONE's blockbuster return to Japan.

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Edited by Aziel Karthak