On Sunday, Feb. 12, upstart Japanese kickboxiong promotion, KNOCK OUT, returned to Tokyo, Japan for its second event, KNOCK OUT Volume 1.
In the main event of the evening, the current 135-pound Rajadamnern stadium champion, Genji Umeno, returned to face former WPMF champion Juan Mario Kaewsamrit. Umeno defeated Sirimongkol Pk Saenchaimuaythaigym at the inaugural KNOCK OUT event in December of 2016. Spain’s Juan Mario has fought the past four years in Thailand with most of his fights coming under the MAX Muay Thai banner.
In the night’s co-main event, budding Japanese superstar Tenshin “Teppei” Nasukawa returned to striking-only competition against former IBF world champion and Olympic boxing medalist Amnat Ruenroeng. Nasukawa recently took his talents to mixed martial arts with RIZIN, earning two wins in less than 72 hours following his debut. Nasukawa put together a tremendous year in 2016 after winning all seven of his fights including a first-round knockout of current Lumpinee stadium champion Wanchalong to earn the 2016 Combat Press Kickboxing ‘Knockout of the Year.’ Ruenroeng recently made a successful return to Muay Thai following a stellar professional boxing career. Ruenroeng won 17 fights in a row before retiring following his only loss in his boxing career.
The event aired live at 2:30 a.m. ET on Samurai Fighting TV (Japan) and Sportsnavi.
Tenshin Nasukawa def. Amnat Ruenroeng by knockout (left hook to body). Round 4, 2:39
Hikari Machida def. Daiki “DJ.taiki” Hata by TKO (corner stoppage). Round 3, 1:00
Tosuke Morii vs. Hirotoshi Murata ends in split draw (49-48, 49-48, 48-48)
Kenta def. Shinya Indo by TKO (cut stoppage). Round 5, 1:50
Eisaku Ogasawara def. Hiroya Haga by TKO (cut stoppage). Round 2, 1:13
Fukashi def. Hiroto Yamaguchi by knockout (head kick). Round 3, 1:50