Ramadan Ondash Vows to End Shimon Yoshinari's Unbeaten Run and Face His Idol at ONE Friday Fights 178
Fifth-ranked contender Ramadan “The Scorpion” Ondash is chasing the biggest victory of his career, with a potential showdown against his childhood idol just one win away.
The Lebanese sensation opens ONE Friday Fights 178 this Friday, November 13, against fourth-ranked Shimon Yoshinari in a ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinal. A victory would send him into the semifinals against the winner of the clash between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Nong-O Hama.
Shimon Yoshinari's Unbeaten ONE Run Stands in Ondash's Way
This represents the toughest test of Ondash's career so far.
Standing across from him is Shimon, a highly technical southpaw with a 27-1 (1 NC) career record who remains unbeaten in ONE Championship. Most recently, he turned heads by knocking out Suablack Tor Pran49 at ONE SAMURAI 3 in September.
The 22-year-old Japanese standout is a former WBC Muay Thai World Champion who has built his reputation on sharp timing, precise combinations, and relentless attacks to the body. Those skills earned him a US$100,000 contract and established him as one of the flyweight Muay Thai division's premier young talents.
Ondash, however, isn't intimidated by his opponent's near-perfect résumé.
“He's fast, but he doesn't have power. He has fast punches and kicks, but he doesn't have power,” the 20-year-old Lebanese fighter said. “He's a good fighter, a good opponent, but I want to stop him.”
Shimon Yoshinari, el japonés invicto que amenaza sus planes
Ondash afrontará la prueba más difícil de su carrera hasta el momento.
Del otro lado estará Shimon, un zurdo técnico con un récord profesional de 27-1 (1 NC) que todavía no conoce la derrota en ONE Championship. Su actuación más reciente llamó la atención cuando noqueó a Suablack Tor Pran49 en ONE SAMURAI 3, celebrado en septiembre.
El japonés de 22 años es ex campeón mundial de Muay Thai del WBC y ha construido su reputación gracias a su precisión, combinaciones contundentes y constantes ataques al cuerpo. Esas cualidades le permitieron conseguir un contrato de 100,000 dólares y consolidarse como uno de los jóvenes más prometedores de la división de peso mosca.
Sin embargo, Ondash no parece impresionado por el historial de su rival.
“Es rápido, pero no tiene potencia. Tiene golpes y patadas rápidas, pero no tiene potencia”, aseguró el peleador libanés de 20 años. “Es un buen peleador, un buen oponente, pero quiero detenerlo”.
Ramadan Ondash's Rise Through ONE Championship
Ondash's path to this moment has been built on impressive momentum of his own.
After earning his life-changing contract through four consecutive wins on the ONE Friday Fights circuit, he moved up to flyweight and has looked sharper than ever, defeating both Suriyanlek Por Yenying and Johan “Jojo” Ghazali in consecutive appearances to climb into the division's top five.
Having traded strikes with some of the most talented young stars on the roster, it's clear that Shimon's credentials don't intimidate “The Scorpion” in the slightest.
“I want to do my best because I have a big heart. I have a strong heart. I have everything. I'm ready for everyone,” Ondash said.
“I don't care now. I'm fighting these big names, and I don't care who wants to fight next. I want to fight him with my legs, with my punches, with my elbows, everything. This is just the beginning for me.”
Rodtang: From Childhood Idol to Potential Opponent
Beyond Friday's quarterfinal, an even bigger storyline could await Ondash in the semifinals.
Should he get past Shimon, he would face the winner of another World Grand Prix quarterfinal between Rodtang and Nong-O, two legends of Muay Thai.
For Ondash, the possibility of facing Rodtang carries personal significance, as the Thai superstar has long been one of his greatest inspirations.
Still, admiration won't stop him from chasing victory if the matchup materializes. Ondash also believes his power has grown significantly since the two were last compared.
“Rodtang was my idol. Now, he's like my future opponent. If I fight Rodtang, I'm going to win. I don't care if he's my idol. I'm coming to win,” Ondash said. “You don't know my punches now. I've gotten bigger.”
