The official weigh-ins for ONE Samurai 4, held the day before the event, sent shockwaves through the fight card. Three matchups were directly impacted by hydration test results and weight limits, drastically altering the stakes for the evening.
A Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament Reduced to Nothing
The featherweight kickboxing tournament suffered a major blow when Luo Chao failed to meet the 70.3 kg limit at the weigh-ins. Despite attempts to negotiate a catchweight bout, no solution was found. As a result, Marat Grigorian, the tournament favorite, is left without an opponent for his scheduled fight. A frustrating situation for the champion, who had hoped to defend his title in a format reduced to a single semifinal.
Muay Thai: Titles Out of Reach
Another major upheaval: Rifdean Masdor, the challenger for the atomweight Muay Thai world title, failed to make weight. Although his fight against Nadaka Yoshinari will still go ahead, he will be ineligible for the belt if he wins. A similar situation occurred in 2023 at ONE Fight Night 11, where another fighter was unable to turn a victory into a title win.
These adjustments highlight the critical importance of hydration tests in ONE Championship events, where athlete health takes precedence over sporting stakes. A rule that, while sometimes unpopular, ensures fairness and safety for the fighters.
ONE Samurai 4 delivered its share of surprises long before the first bell. With tournaments canceled and belts out of reach, the weigh-ins served as a reminder that in the ONE universe, nothing is ever guaranteed until the fight begins.