Koyomi Matsushima Makes Stunning ONE Debut With Knockout Of Marat Gafurov
Koyomi “Moushigo” Matsushima announced his arrival to ONE Championship with a shocking victory over a former ONE Featherweight World Champion.
On Saturday, 22 September, the debuting Japanese warrior knocked out Marat “Cobra” Gafurov in the first round of their encounter at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES inside Indonesia’s Jakarta Convention Center.
Matsushima, who trains out of Pancrase ISM Yokohama, started the contest by firing a variety of kicks at the Russian grappling specialist, which made him step back and reset to plan his next attack.
“Cobra” took his time to find the perfect opportunity to press forward, and near the two-minute mark of the contest, he finally mounted some offence, and then countered a takedown attempt by “Moushigo.”
Back on their feet, the 33-year-old Russian looked to have the momentum and charged at his opponent, but left his left hand hung below his chin.
The debutant from Yokohama, Japan was ready to capitalise on the opportunity and caught the Top Team Makhachkala product with a right hook that dropped him.
It was the beginning of the end, as Matsushima pounced on his dazed rival with more hard hooks until the referee put a stop to the contest at the 2:41 mark of the first round.
Despite stepping into the ONE cage for the first time, the 25-year-old Japanese featherweight will jump into a position among the leading contenders in his weight class thanks to such an impressive win over an icon of the promotion.
In handing Gafurov the second defeat of his professional mixed martial arts career, he improves his record to 10-3.
