Yuki Yoza

Yuki Yoza
Born与座 優貴
(1997-12-20) December 20, 1997 (age 26)
Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight63 kg (139 lb; 9.9 st)
StyleKyokushin
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofJapan
TeamHashimoto Dojo (2019-2021)
K-1 Gym Sagami Ono KREST (2021-Present)
Ibaraki Joso Soshibu (Karate)
Years active2019-present
Kickboxing record
Total19
Wins17
By knockout7
Losses2
By knockout0

Yuki Yoza (Japanese: 与座優貴, Yoza Yuki, born December 20, 1997) is a Japanese karateka, professional kickboxer and the current K-1 Lightweight champion.

As of 3 April 2023, Yoza is ranked the #1 super-bantamweight kickboxer in the world by Combat Press.[1] As of April 2023, Yoza is ranked the #1 featherweight kickboxer in the world by Beyond Kickboxing.[2]

Professional career

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]

Titles and accomplishments

Kickboxing

Professional

Awards

  • eFight.jp
    • Fighter of the Month (February 2022)[42]
  • Beyond Kickboxing
    • 2022 Beyond Kick "Breakthrough Fighter of the Year"[43]

Karate

  • IKO Kyokushinkaikan
    • 2012 International Youth (U-15) Championships -55 kg 3rd place[44]
    • 2013 All Japan High School (U-15) Championships -65 kg Winner[45]
    • 2013 International Youth (U-15) Championships -65 kg Winner[46]
    • 2014 World Youth Elite (U-18) Championships -65 kg runner-up[47]
    • 2014 All Japan Weight Championships -70 kg 4th place[48]
    • 2015 World Youth Elite (U-18) Championships - 65 kg runner-up[49]
    • 2015 All Japan Weight Championships -70 kg 3rd place[50]
    • 2016 All Japan Weight Championships -70 kg Winner[51]
    • 2017 World Weight Championships -70 kg Winner[52]
    • 2018 All Japan Weight Championships -80 kg Runner-up

Kickboxing record

Professional Kickboxing Record
17 Wins (7 (T)KO's), 2 Losses, 0 Draw, 0 No Contest
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2024-03-17 Win Japan Kan Nakamura RISE ELDORADO 2024 Tokyo, Japan Tech.Decision (Majority) 3 2:33
2023-07-17 Win Thailand Aikmongkol Gaiyanghadao K-1 World GP 2023 Tokyo, Japan KO (Liver kick) 1 0:43
2023-06-03 Win Republic of Ireland Aaron Clarke K-1 World GP 2023: inaugural Middleweight Championship Tournament Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2023-03-12 Win Japan Taio Asahisa K-1 World GP 2023: K'Festa 6 Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Wins the K-1 Lightweight (-62.5kg) title.
2022-12-03 Win Thailand Aikpikart Mor.Krungthepthonburi K-1 World GP 2022 in Osaka Osaka, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2022-08-11 Win Japan Yuto Shinohara K-1 World GP 2022 in Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan TKO (Low kicks) 2 1:12
2022-02-27 Win Japan Taio Asahisa K-1 World GP 2022 Japan Tokyo, Japan Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00
2021-12-18 Win Japan Hikaru Hasumi Krush 132 Tokyo, Japan KO (Left High kick) 2 0:17
2021-03-13 Loss Japan Keijiro Miyakoshi KNOCK OUT ～The REBORN～ 65 kg Black Championship Tournament, Semi Final Tokyo, Japan Ext.R Decision (Split) 4 3:00
2020-12-27 Win Japan Tomo Kiire Japan Kickboxing Innovation Champions Carnival 2020 Tokyo, Japan KO (Punches) 3 1:42
2020-11-08 Win Japan Masaya Kubo REBELS 67 Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2020-02-11 Loss Japan Chihiro Suzuki KNOCK OUT CHAMPIONSHIP.1, -64 kg Grand Prix Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan Decision (Majority) 3 3:00
2019-12-08 Win Japan Tatsuya Inaishi SNKA SOUL IN THE RING CLIMAX Tokyo, Japan Decision (Majority) 3 3:00
2019-10-06 Win Japan Tereka∞ REBELS 63×KNOCK OUT Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2019-08-18 Win Brazil Johnny Oliveira K.O CLIMAX 2019: Summer Kick Fever Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2019-07-15 Win Japan Volcano Imoto Japanese Kickboxing Innovation Join Forces 14 Tokyo, Japan KO (Middle kick) 1 2:30
2019-06-09 Win Japan Yoshiki REBELS 61 Tokyo, Japan Decision (Split) 3 3:00
2019-05-19 Win Japan Tatsuro Fukui Japanese Kickboxing Innovation Join Forces 13 Tokyo, Japan TKO (Doctor Stoppage) 1 3:00
2019-03-31 Win Japan Masahiro Kojika Japanese Kickboxing Innovation Join Forces 12 Tokyo, Japan TKO (3 Knockdowns) 2 2:38
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

References

  1. ^ "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: April 2023". combatpress.com. 3 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Rankings April 2023". beyondkick.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  3. ^ "【イノベーション】久井淳平が元山祐希との再戦を制し新王者に、極真世界王者・与座優貴はKOデビュー". efight.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  4. ^ "INNOVATION 5.19 新宿フェイス：与座優貴、プロ2戦目は1R KO勝ち。番長兇侍がウェルター級王者に。". boutreview.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  5. ^ "【レベルス】極真世界王者の与座優貴が公開練習「蹴りが見えにくい」不可思・談". efight.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  6. ^ "【REBELS】鈴木宙樹と安本晴翔が新王者に、日菜太は坂本優起に延長戦で辛勝". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  7. ^ "【イノベーション】元極真世界王者・与座優貴が、SBとの対抗戦で大将へ抜擢". getnews.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  8. ^ "キックボクシング・イノベーション団体対抗戦！ vs. レベルス vs. シュートボクシング、団体王座決定戦！～『Join Forces-14』新宿FACE大会！". miruhon.net. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  9. ^ "【インタビュー】空手世界王者の与座優貴が8･18『K.O CLIMAX 2019』でキック転向後初の大舞台に挑む！「インパクトあるド派手なKOを見せたい」". battle-news.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  10. ^ "【インタビュー】空手世界王者の与座優貴が8･18『K.O CLIMAX 2019』でキック転向後初の大舞台に挑む！「インパクトあるド派手なKOを見せたい」". battle-news.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  11. ^ "【KNOCK OUT】与座優貴の極真の蹴りが光り判定勝利". efight.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  12. ^ "【REBELS×KO】キック無敗の極真王者の与座優貴「試行錯誤しながら」空手とキックの違い". efight.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  13. ^ "【REBELS】スアレックが最終Rに執念のダウン奪い2階級制覇、栗秋祥梧はフェルナンデス退ける". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  14. ^ "【新日本キック】トリは緑川創のWKBA世界タイトル戦、那須川天心と対戦決定の江幡塁は兄弟対決エキシビション、ぱんちゃん璃奈は第6試合". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  15. ^ "KNOCK OUT 2.11 大田区総合体育館：岡山ZAIMAXトーナメント優勝のタップロンが鈴木真治と対戦。連続1R KO勝ちのUMA、J-NET王者の峯山竜哉と対戦". boutreview.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  16. ^ "KNOCK OUT　ラウンドガールに山本ゆうさんが決定！！　喜入衆、与座優貴、祥子JSK、 Raychell、橋本悟 、バズーカ巧樹、ぱんちゃん璃奈、星輝ありさインタビュー". miruhon.net. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  17. ^ "【KNOCK OUT】鈴木千裕が、与座優貴に起死回生のヒザ蹴りで逆転勝利". efight.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  18. ^ "【REBELS】鈴木千裕が初回KO宣言、与座優貴は来年REBELS＆KNOCK OUT制覇への「弾みにする」". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  19. ^ "REBELS 11.8 後楽園ホール：ぱんちゃん璃奈、初メインで判定勝ちも内容を反省。安本晴翔＆鈴木千裕が快勝。RED 55.5kg級決勝は小笠原兄弟対決に". boutreview.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  20. ^ "【独占インタビュー】"令和初の怪物" スーパールーキー・与座優貴、極真空手時代の盟友 横浜流星に誓う世界一の座！". excite.co.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  21. ^ "【イノベーション】与座優貴「問題なく勝てる」vs喜入衆「今だからこそ潰せる」". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  22. ^ "INNOVATION 12.27 新宿フェイス：花岡竜、Rising力との無敗対決で圧勝。山浦俊一がWBCムエタイ日本王座奪取。与座優貴＆橋本悟がKO勝ち". boutreview.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  23. ^ "KNOCK OUT 3.13 後楽園ホール：壱・センチャイジム×古村光を追加。壱「テーマはREBELS＆KNOCK OUTへの恩返し」、古村「KNOCK OUT＝倒すをテーマ戦う」". boutreview.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  24. ^ "新生KNOCK OUTの第1試合を任された鈴木千裕「第1試合目から来ないと絶対後悔しますよ！」【KNOCK OUT】". ent.smt.docomo.ne.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  25. ^ "KNOCK OUT 3.13 後楽園ホール：小笠原瑛作＆安本晴翔、"REBORN"大会飾るKO勝ち。龍聖、勝利も連続KO勝ちストップ。2階級王座決定T決勝は松倉信太郎×田村聖、宮越慶二郎×鈴木千裕に". boutreview.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  26. ^ "【Krush】「ヤバい奴が来た」初参戦の与座優貴に蓮實光が「厳しさを教えてあげたい」、新旧ダイナマイト対決の高橋佑太vs西元也史". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  27. ^ "【Krush】元極真王者・与座優貴がインパクト大の豪快失神KOで初陣を飾る". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  28. ^ "Ｋ１朝久泰央「全て倒す。僕のいけにえ。一方的に勝てる」与座優貴戦へ自信". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  29. ^ "【K-1】極真世界王者・与座優貴、K-1王者・朝久泰央にノンタイトル戦で勝利「次ベルトを賭けて再戦してください」". efight.jp. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  30. ^ "【K1】与座優貴に王者の風格　篠原悠人戦へ「自分がチャンピオンというマインドでいく」". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  31. ^ "【K-1】与座優貴が篠原悠人をカーフキックで壮絶KO". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  32. ^ "【K-1】元極真世界王者・与座優貴、ムエタイ元王者エークピカートと激突！「自分のよさを出せば倒せる」=12.3大阪". efight.jp. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
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  36. ^ "【K-1】新ライト級王者・与座優貴が階級を問わずに戦う異色の"賞金稼ぎ"と対戦「力でねじ伏せていきたい」". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  37. ^ "【Ｋ―１】与座優貴 ライト級王者の貫禄見せるも反省「引き出しが増えすぎてバラバラ」". tokyo-sports.co.jp. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  38. ^ "【K-1】与座優貴、三日月蹴り一閃！ ムエタイ強豪に秒殺勝利". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  39. ^ "中村寛と与座優貴が王者対決。中村は「眼中にない」という姿勢を崩さず。与座は「目指しているのはここではない」【RISE×K-1】（TOKYO HEADLINE WEB）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  40. ^ "【RISE】後ろ蹴りは有効か、金的か？与座優貴が中村寛にKO勝ちで対抗戦はK-1が3勝2敗で勝利（ゴング格闘技）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  41. ^ "【RISE×K-1】中村寛vs与座優貴の結果が変更、KOからローブローで負傷判定勝利に（イーファイト）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  42. ^ "【月間ベストファイター・2月】極真世界王者の与座優貴、K-1王者・朝久を撃破、延長では極真を復活させ激闘制す". efight.jp. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
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  47. ^ "2014 国際親善大会初日・各カテゴリー入賞者". kyokushinkaikan.org. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
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  49. ^ "2015 国際親善空手道選手権大会（1日目／2015年4月18日＝東京体育館）". kyokushinkaikan.org. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  50. ^ "第32回全日本ウェイト制空手道選手権大会レポート". kyokushinkaikan.org. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  51. ^ "第33回全日本ウェイト制空手道選手権大会・2日目結果". kyokushinkaikan.org. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  52. ^ "2017第6回世界ウェイト制大会レポート". kyokushinkaikan.org. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
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