Akihiro Fujisawa Scores First-Round KO Against Pongsiri Mitsatit

Akihiro “Superjap” Fujisawa‘s back was up against the wall, but on Friday, 14 August, he put his career back on track and authored a signature performance.

The Japanese athlete knocked out Muay Thai specialist Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit with only seconds remaining in the first round of their mixed martial arts battle at ONE: NO SURRENDER II in Bangkok, Thailand.

Both fighters were methodical when the 59.5-kilogram catchweight bout began, as each man gauged the timing and distance of their opponent.

Mitsatit tried unleashing the dangerous strikes from his stand-up repertoire, but Fujisawa soon grabbed his rival’s leg and hit a takedown.

“Superjap” worked from guard, and then he passed to mount and side control. But “The Smiling Assassin” remained calm and got back to his feet.

In the very next exchange, Fujisawa dodged his adversary’s shots, bounced forward, and connected with a left hook that floored the Tiger Muay Thai representative.

The Japanese star tried to close the show by standing in Mitsatit’s guard and raining down punches. Then he moved to side control, dropped short elbows to the head, and even threw a few knees, but the Thai remained calm once again and scrambled back to his feet.

As soon as “The Smiling Assassin” was upright, he fired a cross. However, Fujisawa countered with a left hook, which connected on his opponent’s chin and instantly ended his night with five seconds remaining in the opening stanza.

The victory snaps Fujisawa’s three-bout skid.

With the win, the Japanese star maintains his perfect 100 percent finishing rate and moves his professional mixed martial arts record to 6-3-1.

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