FIGHT ANNOUNCED Masashi Kumura faces Ellis Barboza in ONE debut at ONE SAMURAI 5 on Nov. 18

Masashi Kumura's first ONE fight comes with a second one already waiting behind it. The 27-year-old of 999 is a candidate for RISE's World Series -55 kg tournament in December, and he says a win in Tokyo only counts if he leaves without damage.

He faces Ellis Barboza of Britain's Team Mehdi Zatout at ONE SAMURAI 5 on Nov. 18 at EBARA WAVE Arena Ota. The bout is three rounds at strawweight (56.7 kg) under kickboxing rules. Barboza has already fought for a ONE Muay Thai title, and Kumura rates him as a top ONE fighter. In his view, a clean win over a opponent of that level would raise his own standing.

At his open workout on Oct. 29 at TEPPEN GYM in Matsudo, Chiba, Kumura hit pads with his right straight, sharp middle kicks and crescent kicks. He also did mass sparring with teammate Ryusei Nasukawa, who is on the same card. Kumura said his camp has gone smoothly, since his last fight was not long ago, and that he expects to be in top shape with two weeks to go.

The debut brings some firsts, including ONE's hydration test. Kumura said his trainers are handling it and he has no weight-cut worries. He expects some surprises on the night but wants to enjoy them. He said he had long wanted to fight in ONE, and that the offer brought back the excitement he felt as a newcomer.

He is open to fighting abroad in ONE if a bout is made. On the performance bonus, he joked that he would modestly aim for 7.5 million yen, which would take a finish that surprises people.

Watch for how Kumura looks against Barboza on Nov. 18, and whether he comes through undamaged enough for the RISE tournament in December.