“I've taken that advice to heart” - Japanese superstar Masaaki Noiri says humility played a big factor in his career trajectory 

Japanese kickboxing icon Masaaki Noiri learned early on that as you achieve great success, it is important to stay humble. The former two-division K-1 world titleholder will keep that same mentality when he steps on martial arts' biggest global stage on Friday, June 7 for his highly anticipated ONE Championship debut.

Featuring alongside some of the promotion's biggest names at ONE 167 in Bangkok, Noiri will square off with Thai legend Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong in a featherweight kickboxing bout.

Days away from his first appearance inside the Circle, the multi-time titleholder shared a lesson that he learned early on in his career that he still carries with him to this very day.

"The chairman back when I was in Nagoya told me — the more successful you become, the more you need to stay humble (don't forget courtesy)," Noiri said in a recent interview with ONE. "I've taken that advice to heart even now. Some people may become arrogant after achieving fame, but I still see myself as an immature person, and that advice stays deep in my mind."

That piece of advice could prove invaluable as he walks straight into the fire on his first outing by taking on one of the most accomplished strikers of all time.

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Sitthichai ready to spoil Masaaki Noiri's ONE Championship debut on June 7

An eight-time kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion, Sitthichai walks into ONE 167 with 128 career victories, including wins over Tayfun Ozcan, Davit Kiria, Eddie Abasolo, and reigning ONE featherweight Muay Thai world titleholder Tawanchai.

He's also gone toe-to-toe with some of the biggest names in all of kickboxing — Marat Grigorian and current ONE world champion Chingiz Allazov.

Sitthichai also sits as the No. 3 ranked contender in the featherweight kickboxing division, bringing some series title implications to his showdown with Masaaki Noiri.

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ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 167 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, June 7.