Liam Harrison is laser-focused on re-establishing his name when he makes his highly anticipated return to ONE Championship this weekend.

On U.S. primetime this Friday, June 7, “Hitman” will step inside the Circle to battle Japanese striker Katsuki Kitano in a bantamweight Muay Thai match at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Liam Harrison addresses Katsuki Kitano as a dangerous opponent

At 38 years old, Harrison is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. And while he has expressed a desire to compete against legends like himself before calling it a day, he’s fired up to square off against a much younger Kitano.

They may be at different stages of their journeys, but the Brit brawler believes they’re both putting something on the line when they face off on Friday. 

“I know [Kitano] is going to be dangerous, and I know he’s going to want to make a name for himself off of my back,” Harrison told ONE in an interview.

“That’s the risk when you’re fighting some up-and-coming fighter – they want to take your scalp because it’ll propel them into stardom. So obviously, he’s got a lot on the line, but I’ve got a lot on the line as well.” 

A veteran of over 30 fights, Kitano joined the world’s largest martial arts organization last October and bested Turkey’s Halil Kutukcu in a three-round affair at ONE Friday Fights 38. 

Competing against the #5-ranked fighter in the bantamweight Muay Thai division is certainly a step up for him, but a win could propel the Seishikai gym star into the rankings in no time, so there’s little doubt he’ll have all his weapons ready. 

“Hitman” predicts the outcome of his fight against Kitano

Harrison suffered a devastating knee injury at the hands of Nong-O Hama when they met in August 2021, and he’s struggled to get back to fighting form since.

But the Bad Company man now believes he’s there, and he’s ready to prove it with a convincing performance against Kitano at ONE 167.

“It’s only going one way. I’m going to knock him out. I want to make a statement. That’s what the crowd wants to see – the ‘Hitman’ of old,” Harrison said.  

“I’m not going to come in there and think, ‘Oh, it’s my first fight back. I’d better take this easy and just try to steal a win.’ “People don’t pay their money to watch Liam Harrison fight for that to happen.  

“You’re going to get Liam Harrison’s muay mat style: hard punches, hard kicks, walking forward, and there’ll be a bit of action and a bit of drama, I’m sure.”