One Championship is adding a bit of circus flair to its upcoming numbered event.
Akiyama (16-7, 2 NC MMA), 48, comes into this pairing on a winning streak, albeit one that took years to put together. The fighter known as “Sexyama” broke out of a rough patch by starching Sherif Mohamed in 2020, and returned two years later down a weight class to put Shinya Aoki away with strikes. During his off time in 2023, Akiyama appeared on multiple reality shows, including "Physical: 100," as a contestant, under his Korean name of Choo Sung-hoon. In that competition series, Akiyama was eliminated in the second-to-last stage, surpassing many younger athletes in the process.
Dutch kickboxer Holzken (94-17, 1 NC KB) will be eight years the junior of his foe, but he will not have the momentum going into the battle like Akiyama. Holzken has not had his hand raised since a stoppage of John Wayne Parr in 2021. A pair of losses slowed his momentum, as late replacement Sinsamut Klinmee knocked him out in 2022 and Arian Sadikovic took a decision against him in June 2023. For the latter appearance, Holzken missed weight by five pounds and gave 30% of his purse to his adversary after defeat.
ONE 165 will take place in Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Jan. 28, with a headliner of Superlek Kiatmoo9 vs. Takeru Segawa for the 135-pound kickboxing title. Additionally, Kade Ruotolo will put his 170-pound submission grappling belt on the line when he faces Tommy Langaker. In MMA action on the main card, Shinya Aoki fights Sage Northcutt at 170 pounds, while 155-pounders Garry Tonon and Martin Nguyen toe the line.