ONE 173 post-fight breakdown: Superbon cruises to victory over Masaaki Noiri, unifies featherweight kickboxing gold in Japan

Superbon walked into hostile territory with a point to prove. By the end of his 15-minute war, he more than did just that in the main event of the blockbuster ONE 173 card in Tokyo, Japan.

The Thai megastar dismantled interim titleholder Masaaki Noiri across five dominant rounds inside the Ariake Arena to become the undisputed ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion.

He arrived in 'The Land of the Rising Sun' with a chip on his shoulder.

After suffering another loss to featherweight Muay Thai king Tawanchai PK Saenchai in his bid for two-sport glory earlier this year, the striking genius came prepared for everything Noiri brought to the table.

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The Superbon Training Camp founder wasted no time establishing his game plan from the opening exchanges. His trademark high kick found its target early and disrupted Noiri's best attempts at swinging in his chopping calf kicks.

His missile-like kicks came with more intensity in the second frame. They came more frequently, each landing on the Team Vasileus man's face and arm. Noiri certainly had a chin and an iron-clad defense to absorb whatever came his way, but he could offer little in response to match the Thai's output.

Superbon found his pattern from then on, and another dominant round three and four all but confirmed it.

The Bangkok-based martial artist turned up the heat in the third, landing his kicks, punches, and even step-in knees with devastating precision. He kept Noiri guessing in the fourth stanza, which forced the latter to run into something painful each time he advanced.

By the time the fifth and final stanza came along, damage was piling up on the interim champ. To his credit, he dug deep into his reserves, throwing snappy shots with everything he had left.

But Superbon continued his onslaught throughout the final three minutes to prove why he reigns supreme atop combat sports' most-stacked weight bracket.

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Official result: Superbon defeats Masaaki Noiri via unanimous decision

What stood out most was Superbon's head-kicking game. It was surgical.

The Thai megastar barely missed the mark all night at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri, landing those high kicks with frightening accuracy, whether he threw them off his lead leg or his back foot. Every time Noiri thought he'd found his range, another high kick came whistling toward his head to remind him otherwise.

Noiri brought his best weapons into the Circle, make no mistake. The interim champion threw heavy leather and pressed forward relentlessly, looking to replicate the power that knocked out Tawanchai earlier this year.

But the 35-year-old's work in defense was gorgeous. He read the Japanese challenger like a textbook, staying one step ahead throughout the entire contest and always having a response to whatever Noiri threw at him.

Tactically, it was a brilliant performance from the undisputed world champion. He adjusted beautifully even during moments when Noiri pierced through his guard to shut his lights out.

The Thai striker's ring IQ, honed through years of elite competition, allowed him to neutralize Noiri's aggression while banking rounds with technical superiority and clean, damaging strikes.

As for what's next, Superbon is happy to defend his gold and cross paths with longtime foe Marat Grigorian. The Bangkok-based superstar also wants another shot at Tawanchai's ONE featherweight Muay Thai world title.

While it won't be an easy task, the PK Saenchai warrior has beaten him twice already. If Superbon can make the same tactical adjustments he showcased at ONE 173, he could finally earn a win over him and achieve the two-sport glory that has eluded him thus far.

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Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim