Rifdean aims to floor fan favourite Nadaka in historic Tokyo bout
KUALA LUMPUR: Unfazed by the challenging task ahead, Malaysian Muay Thai fighter Rifdean Masdor is ready to shock the world and end Japanese superstar Nadaka Yoshinari’s seven-year, 42-fight winning streak on Saturday.
Malaysian Muay Thai fighter Rifdean Masdor stands poised to shatter the seven-year, 42-fight unbeaten record of Japanese sensation Nadaka Yoshinari in a high-stakes bout on Saturday. The 23-year-old is set to face Nadaka at the co-main event of ONE Samurai 4, a showcase of combat sports talent at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo. Nadaka, lauded as a prodigious talent and one of the premier strikers worldwide, has Rifdean on the defensive, yet the latter remains undeterred by the formidable local favorite.
Reflecting on his challenge, Rifdean remarked, "Nadaka is one of the best. I have never faced a fighter like him." Regardless of the outcome, Rifdean emphasized the importance of proving that Malaysians can excel in combat sports. He expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, "Every fight demands self-belief; you cannot enter the ring without it." For Rifdean, a belief in providence fuels his determination to make history for Malaysia.
A successful victory would cement Rifdean's status as the country's second ONE World Champion, following Ahmad Nor Iman Aliff's recent triumph. "I wish to accomplish what my friends, like Aliff, have achieved by bringing home a world championship belt," Rifdean expressed. Should destiny conspire in his favor, Rifdean intends to bring the championship back to honor the Malaysian people.
The Tokyo showdown is a significant weekend for Malaysian martial arts, with fellow compatriots Jihin Radzuan and teenage sensation Johan Ghazali also competing. Rifdean called upon Malaysian fans to support all three athletes wholeheartedly, urging them to pray for their success and remain supportive, whether they emerge victorious or not.
Rifdean, representing Kuching, Sarawak, honed his skills in Perak under Sor Sommai and Headhunter Academy. He claimed a hat-trick of IFMA World Under-23 Championship titles in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and a gold medal for Malaysia at the 2019 Philippines SEA Games. A two-time Sukma gold medallist, Rifdean made an immediate impact on the elite stage, securing a 7-1 record and a US$100,000 (RM420,000) contract after a record-breaking debut win against Iran's Javad Mozafari in March 2024.
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