‘Confident I Won’t Lose To Anyone’ – Hiroyuki Tetsuka Aims To Continue Dominant Winning Streak At ONE 168: Denver
Surging welterweight MMA contender Hiroyuki “Japanese Beast” Tetsuka says he’s at the top of his game and ready to earn a World Title shot at ONE 168: Denver.
On September 6 in U.S. primetime, he will square off with explosive finisher Isi “Doxz” Fitikefu in a pivotal matchup at Denver’s Ball Arena.
A respected veteran and now an established ONE superstar, Tetsuka will enter the contest riding an impressive five-fight, five-finish winning streak that dates back to 2021.
Of those five stoppage victories, three have come via submission and two by knockout, confirming that “Japanese Beast” is an incredibly well-rounded mixed martial artist with elite skills in all areas of combat.
Indeed, he told onefc.com that his training camp has focused primarily on blending the full breadth of his skills together – and it has given him a sense of invincibility:
“In terms of MMA, my striking, takedowns, and submissions are working together more smoothly now. I feel my MMA-specific skills have really improved. I’m confident I won’t lose to anyone in MMA.”
As confident as he is, Tetsuka knows he shouldn’t look past Fitikefu.
The former rugby player from Australia might be the division’s most terrifying pure athlete, and he uses that prodigious athleticism in conjunction with his ever-evolving striking and grappling skills.
Still, “Japanese Beast” believes that his own overall skill set, honed over the course of his nine-year professional career, will carry him to victory at ONE 168:
“We’re about the same height. His fighting style is quite similar to my previous style. He’s good at back chokes on the ground, but he also comes in hard with stand-up striking. He uses his physicality and explosive power. He’s physically strong, probably because he used to be a rugby player. He’s athletic and has refined his grappling and striking skills.
“However, I think I have more experience and a wider range of techniques. I want to show the difference in our experience and skill set.”
In short, Tetsuka knows he has numerous paths to victory.
And given his recent run of highlight-reel finishes, he’s sure that he’ll become the first man to stop Fitikefu inside the distance:
“There are many ways [to win]. I could land a counter and knock him out or take him down and pound him out. He’s only lost by decision once and has never been finished.
“I plan to give him his first finish loss, but I usually adapt to the flow of the fight. There are really many ways I could win.”
Tetsuka Targets Welterweight Gold Next
If Hiroyuki Tetsuka indeed finishes Isi Fitikefu at ONE 168: Denver, he will continue making a strong case for a crack at the ONE Welterweight MMA World Title.
But with two-division titleholder Christian “The Warrior” Lee next slated to defend his lightweight MMA crown against Alibeg Rasulov in November at ONE 169: Atlanta, Tetsuka thinks an Interim World Title might be in order:
“If I get six consecutive finishes, I believe I should be in line for a title shot. Of course, I understand that the promotion makes these decisions, but I certainly hope for it.
“However, Christian has a lightweight title fight in Atlanta in November, so the welterweight division might be stagnant for a while. I’d be happy if they could set up an interim title fight.”
While the 34-year-old isn’t looking past the challenge ahead of him on September 6, he’s happy to think about potential opponents he could face for the ONE Interim Welterweight MMA World Title if the organization chooses to go down that route.
Two names jump out to Tetsuka as possible foes – and he only wants the best:
“If not Christian, then maybe the former champion Zebaztian Kadestam or Roberto Soldic. They’re both very strong fighters.”
