Masunyane returns to strawweight following a flyweight appearance where he lost a decision to Sanzhar Zakirov. The South African compiled a 4-2 record at 125 pounds during his strawweight run, highlighted by a 37-second knockout of former ONE world title challenger Rene Catalan.
His brief flyweight campaign demonstrated improved grappling against Zakirov, but the decision loss sent him back to his natural weight class. Masunyane’s speed and athleticism established him as a contender at strawweight before his move up in weight.
The 32-year-old Kurosawa brings a 20-4 record into his second ONE Championship appearance. The former Pancrase strawweight champion earned his promotional debut with a five-fight winning streak in Japan that included four finishes inside two rounds.
Kurosawa defeated Jayson Miralpez via unanimous decision at ONE Friday Fights 124 in September, demonstrating striking and submission skills across three rounds. The performance earned him a matchup against a ranked contender in his second promotional appearance.
The contest carries significant implications for both athletes. Kurosawa has the opportunity to enter the strawweight rankings with a victory over the No. 3-ranked contender in only his second ONE Championship bout. Masunyane seeks to reestablish his position among the division’s elite after his unsuccessful flyweight experiment.
Current ruler Joshua Pacio holds the strawweight title following his unsuccessful challenge for Yuya Wakamatsu’s flyweight championship at ONE 173 in November. The division features several contenders positioning themselves for title opportunities, making this matchup relevant for determining the next challenger.
