The wrestling world has its eyes locked on one date—February 26. Because a highly anticipated match between the most electrifying nemesis is scheduled. And there is another reason behind it—it’s two nations that are at stake. Of course, it’s big for Japanese and American wrestling. Everyone is holding their breath for three NCAA titleholders, Spencer Lee and Japanese sensation Masanosuke Ono. But before that, Ono has a strong message for Lee.

Masanosuke Ono appeared in a short interview with “WrestlersGrind.” The caption reads, “Got the chance to chat with World Champion Masanosuke Ono before his match with Spencer Lee! 🤝.” As per the interview that is uploaded on X, Ono seems excited about the match. And why not, right? When asked about his upcoming bout with Spencer Lee, he expressed both excitement and determination.

He stated, “Yeah, I’m excited for Spencer’s match. But he’s very good, right? Yeah. Olympic silver medalist. He’s strong, but I want to win.” Of course, like any other wrestler, world champions also wish the same, but the stakes are high. But it’s not only the match-up that excites Ono. What else, you may ask?

When asked if he is enjoying Penn State, he excitedly said, “Yeah, good city, good guy, good coach, good partner.” If that was not enough, he is also loving the food. His favorite? “My favorite food is Chipotle,” Ono said. But are you aware that his decision to lose weight to fight against Lee has raised eyebrows? Because it is clear that the U20 world champion wrestles at the 61 and 65 weight categories. Where can you catch up on this nail-biting bout?

Well, FloWrestling Night In America is scheduled in Iowa at 7:30 p.m. ET. For those unable to attend the event in person, they can stream on their desktop, mobile, or TV. The event is accessible on Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, and Apple TV, ensuring a seamless viewing experience from anywhere. This highly anticipated showdown is yet another chapter in the remarkable journeys of both wrestlers.

Spencer Lee and Masanosuke Ono Set for Rematch After Surprise Japan Encounter

This is not the first time when Lee and Ono are wrestling against each other. Yes, you read that right. According to “The Gazette,” 26-year-old champion recalled his first exposure to his Japanese counterpart. It was about a few months ago when Lee went on a trip to Japan after his college. With little but wanting to wrestle, he attended a practice session at one of the universities. And guess what? He got a chance to wrestle with Ono.

When Lee attempted to wrestle a former world champion, he was told that Ono was better. Recalling the incident, Lee said, “He kept saying that and pointing to Ono.” He further added, “At the time, nobody knows who Ono is, right? I ended up wrestling with him for a little bit. It was like a three-minute go. I remember going, That guy was really good.” Since then, Spencer Richard Lee has been looking forward to wrestling against him. And why not? Ono is everywhere.

Since then, Ono has established himself by winning the U20 and Senior World titles last year, while Lee has won a silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The American freestyle wrestler also added, “I always wanted an opportunity to wrestle him in a real match.” Their journeys have been vastly different, yet they converge on February 26 for a battle that has the wrestling world buzzing.

Fans can’t contain their excitement, flooding social media with predictions and support. One fan tweeted, “Spencer Lee vs. Ono is the match we’ve all been waiting for! Two absolute warriors!” With anticipation at an all-time high, this showdown isn’t just another match—it’s a collision of two wrestling worlds. Who will rise to the occasion? And we’ll have the answer soon.