Japanese knockout artist Yuki Yoza will soon bring his devastating striking arsenal to the world¡¯s largest martial arts organization.
He¡¯s set to face undefeated Russian sensation in a bantamweight kickboxing tilt on May 23 at , live in Asia primetime from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
with an incredible amount of hype and momentum. Renowned for his highlight-reel knockouts and technical brilliance, the 27-year-old striker stands out as one of the most electrifying and talented athletes to join the global roster in 2025.
Before he makes his hotly anticipated promotional debut, here are five things to know about Yoza.
#1 He¡¯s A K-1 Champion
Yoza established himself as one of his country¡¯s premier fighters by claiming the K-1 lightweight crown in March 2023.
That title-winning performance validated Yoza¡¯s status as an elite competitor, helped him build an impressive championship reign in which he defended the belt multiple times, and proved that he¡¯s ready to compete with the best of the best in ONE Championship.
#2 He Destroyed A Former ONE World Champion
Yoza will come into his ONE debut following the most high-profile victory of his career ¨C a September 2024 win over former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion .
The Japanese striker knocked out the decorated Thai veteran in the third round with an onslaught of savage leg kicks, showcasing his show-stopping power and unmatched technical precision.
That performance sent shockwaves through the kickboxing community and served as the perfect statement to close out his K-1 career.
#3 He Trains With Japan¡¯s Best
Yoza sharpens his world-class skills at the renowned Team Vasileus in Tokyo alongside Japanese megastar and current ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion .
Training in this elite environment has taken his game to new heights and allowed him to develop his talents against top-tier sparring partners. With that star-studded training team supporting him, Yoza will be prepared for any challenge ONE throws his way.
#4 He Has A Kyokushin Karate Background
Like many other Japanese fighters, Yoza¡¯s striking foundation comes from the notoriously tough world of full-contact Kyokushin karate.
Before transitioning to professional kickboxing, he amassed a jam-packed trophy case of titles, cementing himself as one of the planet¡¯s top karatekas.
This karate background is evident in his unique fighting style, as he displays superb distance management, timing, and brutal kicking techniques that have translated perfectly to kickboxing.
#5 He Has A Relentless Fighting Style
Yoza¡¯s approach to combat combines technical brilliance with unrelenting pressure, making him a delight to watch and a nightmare for any opponent standing across from him.
Notably, he never takes his foot off the gas and will hunt for the knockout from the opening bell, all while displaying remarkable composure under fire.
And given his ability to adapt his game plan mid-fight and lean on his mental toughness in the later rounds, Yoza is one of the most exciting additions to ONE in recent memory.
