Japanese kickboxing star Yuki Yoza had an outstanding first year in ONE Championship in 2025. He is now looking to pick up from it and make this year an even bigger one, with him being crowned as world champion.
The 28-year-old Team Vasileus standout made his plans clear in a social media post to start the brand-new year, writing on Instagram that in 2026 he will reach greater heights.
Yoza boldly claimed:
“2026 — the year I take the ONE Championship belt.”
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Yuki Yoza competed and was a champion at K-1 before joining ONE Championship early last year. His first match in the world’s largest martial arts organization was against Russian dynamo Elbrus Osmanov and he passed it with flying colors as he won by unanimous decision. He then battled former bantamweight kickboxing king Petchtanong Petchfergus in July and was equally impressive, steamrolling to another decision win.
The Tokyo-based fighter underscored his world title contender status in his most recent match in November at ONE 173 in Japan, where he battled and got the better of Thai superstar and flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 by decision. He did it with his crisp striking that Superlek had a hard time dealing with for the full three rounds.
Bantamweight kickboxing king Jonathan Haggerty willing to give Yuki Yoza a title shot
Yuki Yoza may not have to wait too long to get his shot at the ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title as reigning divisional king Jonathan Haggerty of the United Kingdom said he is open to giving the Japanese star a crack at the gold in his possession.
‘The General’ shared that he sees Yoza as a worthy challenger after seeing the latter dominate Petchtanong in their bantamweight showdown in July.
Haggerty gave props to Yuki Yoza on an impressive performance in an Instagram post just as he expressed his willingness to give him a title shot if such is presented to him.
The Englishman wrote:
“Congratulations on your performance @yozayuki_1 — that was world-class. You showed composure, timing, and real skill under pressure. I’ve seen what you bring to the ring, and I respect it. You said you want to dance with me — and I agree… You’ve earned your shot.”
Haggerty claimed the vacant ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title in November 2023 and successfully defended it in his last fight in February, beating Chinese challenger Wei Rui by decision.
Edited by Aziel Karthak
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