Tree species Ryohei Kurosawa doesn’t just see victory coming. He’s already visualized exactly when it arrives.
The Japanese striker meets Bokang Masunyane in strawweight MMA at ONE Fight Night 39 on Friday, January 23, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 32-year-old brings a six-fight winning streak that includes three knockouts into his sophomore promotional appearance. His confidence sits at career highs after dominating Jayson Miralpez last September in his promotional debut.
The South African presents the toughest test yet. Masunyane maximizes every physical advantage despite standing just five-foot-one, using explosive speed and timing to neutralize taller opponents. Height means nothing if “Little Giant” drags you to the canvas.
Kurosawa built his entire camp at The Blackbelt Japan around solving that puzzle. He dissected every frame of fight film, searching for patterns and openings that most opponents miss.
“Bokang is really good with his wrestling and grappling, and he’s really fast,” he said. “I’ve tried to find a similar-sized body type that is built like Bokang Masunyane for this fight camp. That’s where my focus has been.”
Ryohei Kurosawa identifies late-fight opportunity against Bokang Masunyane
Ryohei Kurosawa studied his opponent’s cardio patterns across three rounds, noticing a window that typically emerges as fights progress. The Japanese technician believes weathering the early storm creates clear paths to victory.
Masunyane explodes in first rounds with speed that overwhelms unprepared opponents. But Kurosawa plans to slow the pace initially, survive the blitz, then overwhelm the South African starting in round two. He’s already mapped out how the fight ends.
“In all of his fights I watched, he’s really quick. So I think I’ll need to slow it down a bit, maybe [in the first round],” he said. “From round two, I can overwhelm him and maybe strike him to finish him. I have an image of me knocking him out. Maybe a knockout in the third round.”
That confidence hasn’t bred complacency. Kurosawa studied Masunyane’s recent losses to Sanzhar Zakirov and Mansur Malachiev with the same intensity as his victories, searching for weaknesses while respecting the dangers that remain. Both those defeats came via decision after competitive battles that proved Little Giant’s resilience.
This fight represents more than personal advancement for the Japanese martial artist. He views this as an opportunity to carry his nation’s banner on the global stage.
“It’ll be important for me to continue winning and representing Japan in the best possible way,” he said. “I want to make my country proud, and the best way to do that is to get a win in this next fight.”