James Nakashima on Training with Giorgio Petrosyan, Moving to Italy in 2022

Significant changes are ahead for James Nakashima after his upcoming fight in One Championship.

Nakashima (12-2, 3-2 One) will soon take on Saygid Izagakhmaev at One “Heavy Hitters,” and he’s focused on his next opponent. “Nako” is currently on a two-bout skid, and is looking forward to improving his position. Before the end of 2022, Nakashima plans to settle with his family in Milan, Italy, to train with legendary kickboxer Giorgio Petrosyan. The pair met at One “Conquest of Champions,” where Giorgio was cornering his brother Armen Petrosyan. The morning following the event, Nakashima approached the Petrosyan and asked to train with them. The answer was yes, and the American went overseas for a few times.

“Giorgio was lefty like I was a lefty, and I always studied him for my stand-up getting better,” he said. “Then, at my One Championship debut, Armen was fighting Samy Sana on that same card, and Giorgio was in his corner. I approached Giorgio to get his picture, we took this picture, and then we just talked from there. Then, the morning after the fight, we were at breakfast, and I went up to him and asked him if I could come out there and train with him. He said I could, so that just kind of kicked it off, and then I just kept going back out there. I like it out there, I like the intimacy of the gym, I like Armen and Giorgio. Me and my family is going to move out there in the next year or so.”

Nakashima also talked about his camp for Izagakhmaev, which he couldn’t make in Italy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also shared his considerations on his recent losses, and more.

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