Yoshinari Survives Ondash Onslaught To Reach Nong-O Semifinal

Shimon Yoshinari absorbed a first-round beating before grinding out a unanimous decision over Ramadan Ondash in the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinals Friday night at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.

The 22-year-old Japanese prospect looked shaky early as Ondash connected with looping hooks that visibly rattled him. Yoshinari regained his footing in the second round, countering from distance with kicks and step-in knees. One knee landed flush on Ondash's chin and tilted the frame. By the third, Yoshinari was backing his opponent onto the ropes and landing elbows with confidence, according to BJPenn.com.

Nong-O Awaits After Rodtang Upset

The win improved Yoshinari to 28-1 and kept his ONE Championship run unblemished. The Eiwa Sports Gym fighter had knocked out Suablack Tor Pran49 in the second round at ONE SAMURAI 3. Ondash entered Friday on consecutive victories over Suriyanlek Por Yenying and Johan Ghazali since moving up to flyweight, but his aggression could not carry him past the final bell.

Yoshinari meets Nong-O Hama in the semifinals after the 40-year-old dropped Rodtang Jitmuangnon with a high left kick in The Inner Circle 38 main event the same night. The bracket's other quarterfinal pits reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Asadula Imangazaliev against Aslamjon Ortikov on November 20. The tournament winner claims the undisputed flyweight title.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Shimon Yoshinari survives early danger to beat Ramadan Ondash and book Nong-O semifinal fight