Yuki Yoza

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.

On December 23, 2019, it was announced that Yoza would participate in the 2020 KNOCK OUT 64kg 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]

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]

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]

Professional

• K-1
  • 2023 K-1 Lightweight (-62.5 kg) Championship

Awards

• eFight.jp
  • Fighter of the Month (February 2022)[39]
• Beyond Kickboxing
  • 2022 Beyond Kick "Breakthrough Fighter of the Year"[40]

• IKO Kyokushinkaikan
  • 2012 International Youth (U-15) Championships -55kg 3rd place[41]
  • 2013 All Japan High School (U-15) Championships -65kg Winner[42]
  • 2013 International Youth (U-15) Championships -65kg Winner[43]
  • 2014 World Youth Elite (U-18) Championships -65kg runner-up[44]
  • 2014 All Japan Weight Championships -70kg 4th place[45]
  • 2015 World Youth Elite (U-18) Championships - 65kg runner-up[46]
  • 2015 All Japan Weight Championships -70kg 3rd place[47]
  • 2016 All Japan Weight Championships -70kg Winner[48]
  • 2017 World Weight Championships -70kg Winner[49]
  • 2018 All Japan Weight Championships -80kg Runner-up