Yuki Yoza
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December 20, 1997
Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
| Yuki Yoza | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 与座 優貴 December 20, 1997 Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 63 kg (139 lb; 9.9 st) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Style | Kyokushinkaikan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stance | Orthodox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Tokyo, Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Team Vasileus (2023-present) K-1 Gym Sagami Ono KREST (2021-2023) Hashimoto Dojo (2019-2021) Ibaraki Joso Soshibu (Karate) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Second dan black belt in Kyokushin karate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2019-present | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kickboxing record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Yuki Yoza (Japanese: 与座優貴, Yoza Yuki; born December 20, 1997) is a Japanese professional kickboxer and former[1] Kyokushin practitioner, who currently competes in the Bantamweight Kickboxing division of ONE Championship. He is the former K-1 lightweight champion.
As of September 2025, Yoza is ranked the #8 pound-for-pound kickboxer in the world by Beyond Kick.[2]
Early career
Career beginnings
Yoza made his professional kickboxing debut against Masahiro Kojika at Japanese Kickboxing Innovation Join Forces 12 on March 31, 2019. He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout, after knocking Kojika down three times by the 2:38 minute mark.[3] Yoza faced Tatsuro Fukui at Japanese Kickboxing Innovation Join Forces 13 on May 19, 2019. He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout. The ringside physician was called in at the very end of the round, due to a cut on Fukui's face, who advised the referee to stop the fight.[4]
Yoza made his promotional debut with REBELS against Yoshiki at REBELS 61 on June 9, 2019.[5] He won the fight by split decision. Two of the judges scored the fight 30–28 and 29–28 in his favor, while the third judge scored the fight 29–28 for Yoshiki.[6]
Yoza was booked to face Volcano Imoto at Japanese Kickboxing Innovation Join Forces 14 on July 15, 2019.[7] He knocked Imoto out with a head kick at the 2:30 minute mark of the first round.[8][9]
Yoza faced Johnny Oliveira at K.O CLIMAX 2019 on August 18, 2019.[10] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 29–28, 30–29 and 30–28.[11] Yoza faced Tereka∞ at REBELS 63×KNOCK OUT on October 6, 2019.[12] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding him a 30–26 scorecard. Yoza scored the sole knockdown of the fight late in the third round, flooring Tereka with a left hook.[13]
Yoza faced Tatsuya Inaishi at SNKA SOUL IN THE RING CLIMAX on December 8, 2019.[14] He won the fight by majority decision.
KNOCK OUT tournaments
On December 23, 2019, it was announced that Yoza would participate in the 2020 KNOCK OUT 64 kg Grand Prix.[15] Yoza was booked to face Chihiro Suzuki in the tournament quarterfinals, which were held on February 11, 2020.[16] He lost the fight by majority decision. Two of the judges scored the bout 29–28 for Suzuki, while the third judge scored it as an even 28–28 draw.[17]
After suffering his first professional loss, Yoza was booked to face Masaya Kubo at REBELS 67 on November 8, 2020.[18] He won the fight by majority decision, with scores of 30–29, 30–29 and 29–28.[19] Yoza next faced Tomo Kiire at Japan Kickboxing Innovation Champions Carnival 2020 on December 27, 2020.[20][21] He won the fight by a third-round knockout.[22]
On January 29, 2021, it was revealed that Yoza would take part in the 2021 KNOCK OUT super lightweight BLACK tournament.[23] Yoza was scheduled to face Keijiro Miyakoshi in the semifinals, which were held on March 13, 2021.[24] He lost the fight by split decision, after an extra round was fought.[25]
K-1
Early promotional career
Yoza made his K-1 debut against Hikaru Hasumi at Krush 132 on December 18, 2021.[26] He won the fight by a second-round knockout, stopping Hikaru with a head kick 17 seconds into the round.[27]
Yoza was booked to face the K-1 Lightweight champion Taio Asahisa in a non-title bout at K-1 World GP 2022 Japan on February 27, 2022.[28] He won the fight by unanimous decision, after an extension round fought. Yoza called for a title fight with Asahisa in his post-fight interview.[29]
Following his upset defeat of Asahisa, Yoza faced the former Krush Super Lightweight champion Yuto Shinohara in a lightweight bout at K-1 World GP 2022 in Fukuoka on August 11, 2022.[30] He won the fight by a second-round knockout, stopping Shinohara with low kicks.[31]
Yoza faced the former Rajadamnern Stadium super lightweight champion Aikpikart Mor.Krungthepthonburi at K-1 World GP 2022 in Osaka on December 3, 2022.[32] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding him every round of the bout.[33]
Lightweight champion
Yoza was booked to challenge Taio Asahisa for the K-1 Lightweight Championship at K-1 World GP 2023: K'Festa 6 on March 12, 2023.[34] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 30–29 and one scorecard of 30–28.[35]
Yoza faced Aaron Clarke in a non-title bout at K-1 World GP 2023 in Yokohama on June 3, 2023.[36] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–28, 30–28 and 30–27.[37] Yoza faced Aikmongkol Gaiyanghadao in another non-title bout at K-1 World GP 2023 on July 17, 2023. He needed just 43 seconds to knock Aikmongkol out.[38]
Yoza faced the reigning RISE Lightweight champion Kan Nakamura in a cross-promotional bout at RISE ELDORADO 2024 on March 17, 2024.[39] He won the fight by a third-round knockout.[40] The victory was overturned to a majority decision win for Yoza on March 22, as the stoppage was judged to have resulted from an illegal strike on review.[41]
Yoza faced the former K-1 Lightweight (-62.5kg) titleholder Kongnapa Weerasakreck at K-1 World MAX 2024 - World Championship Tournament Final on July 7, 2024.[42] He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[43]
Yoza faced Petchdam Petchyindee Academy at K-1 World MAX 2024 on September 29, 2024.[44] He won the fight by a third-round knockout.[45]
On April 18, 2025, it was announced Yoza relinquished his K-1 title and that his contract with K-1 had to come to an end.[46]
ONE Championship
Yoza was announced to have signed a contract with ONE Championship on April 22, 2025.[47] He made his ONE debut at ONE Friday Fights 109 against Elbrus Osmanov.[48] Yoza won the fight by unanimous decision.[49]
Yoza faced Superlek Kiatmuu9 at ONE 173 on November 16, 2025.[50] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[51]
Yoza challenged Jonathan Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship at ONE Samurai 1 on April 29, 2026. He was defeated by unanimous decision after a five-round bout.[52]
Titles and accomplishments
Kickboxing
Professional
Awards
- eFight.jp
- Beyond Kickboxing
Karate
- IKO Kyokushinkaikan
- 2012 International Youth (U-15) Championships -55 kg 3rd place[57]
- 2013 All Japan High School (U-15) Championships -65 kg Winner[58]
- 2013 International Youth (U-15) Championships -65 kg Winner[59]
- 2014 World Youth Elite (U-18) Championships -65 kg runner-up[60]
- 2014 All Japan Weight Championships -70 kg 4th place[61]
- 2015 World Youth Elite (U-18) Championships - 65 kg runner-up[62]
- 2015 All Japan Weight Championships -70 kg 3rd place[63]
- 2016 All Japan Weight Championships -70 kg Winner[64]
- 2017 World Weight Championships -70 kg Winner[65]
- 2018 All Japan Weight Championships -80 kg Runner-up
