Yuki Yoza could be heading into a blockbuster clash at ONE 173 in Japan – with two world champions vying to face him next.
The 27-year-old Japanese striker earned a unanimous decision win over former bantamweight kickboxing king Petchtanong at ONE Friday Fights 116, extending his unbeaten run since signing with ONE Championship earlier this year.
It was a performance that quickly drew attention from both Jonathan Haggerty and Superlek Kiatmuu9 – with neither man appearing to be in a rush to face bantamweight Muay Thai title-holder Nabil Anane.
“I’ve seen what you bring to the ring, and I respect it,” Haggerty wrote on Instagram. “You said you want to dance with me – and I agree… You’ve earned your shot.
“This isn’t just a fight – this is a moment. A clash of styles, of countries, of champions in their prime. Let’s give the world something unforgettable.”
The 28-year-old Briton still holds the ONE bantamweight kickboxing title, despite losing his Muay Thai belt to Superlek in September 2024. A clash with Yoza – a former K-1 champion – would seem the most natural next step, particularly in front of a home crowd at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on November 16.
Superlek, meanwhile, threw his hat in the ring with a pointed message posted on Facebook. The 29-year-old Thai, who holds the ONE flyweight kickboxing title, is ranked No 5 in the bantamweight division, despite being yet to compete in it.
“I will be your worst nightmare. I’m ready now,” he wrote.
The moves come as speculation swirls over who will next face Anane, who was finally elevated from interim bantamweight Muay Thai champ last month having beaten Superlek by unanimous decision at ONE 172 in March, with “The Kicking Machine” losing his belt on the scale.
The 21-year-old Thai-Algerian has gone unbeaten since his debut loss to Superlek in 2023, with few fighters calling out the towering 1.92-metre tall phenom, who is expected to move up to featherweight in a year or two.
Yoza, for his part, appeared unfazed when asked who could be next after his latest victory at Lumpinee Stadium.
“I can fight Superlek, but I just beat the No 3 in the rankings,” he said in his post-fight interview in the ring. “I have the right to challenge Haggerty as well, but whoever ONE Championship gives, I will fight better than today.”
Yoza vacated his K-1 belt earlier this year to sign with ONE, and has quickly emerged as one of the most technically proficient strikers in the promotion’s stacked bantamweight division.
He later praised Petchtanong in another interview with ONE backstage, calling the 39-year-old “even tougher than I expected”.
“This was one of the special moves I’ve prepared,” he said of the combo that dropped the Thai in the second round. “Petchtanong is proficient with his front hand, so I aimed to evade that, then deliver a hook from above.”
The 27-year-old Japanese striker earned a unanimous decision win over former bantamweight kickboxing king Petchtanong at ONE Friday Fights 116, extending his unbeaten run since signing with ONE Championship earlier this year.
It was a performance that quickly drew attention from both Jonathan Haggerty and Superlek Kiatmuu9 – with neither man appearing to be in a rush to face bantamweight Muay Thai title-holder Nabil Anane.
“I’ve seen what you bring to the ring, and I respect it,” Haggerty wrote on Instagram. “You said you want to dance with me – and I agree… You’ve earned your shot.
“This isn’t just a fight – this is a moment. A clash of styles, of countries, of champions in their prime. Let’s give the world something unforgettable.”
The 28-year-old Briton still holds the ONE bantamweight kickboxing title, despite losing his Muay Thai belt to Superlek in September 2024. A clash with Yoza – a former K-1 champion – would seem the most natural next step, particularly in front of a home crowd at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on November 16.
Superlek, meanwhile, threw his hat in the ring with a pointed message posted on Facebook. The 29-year-old Thai, who holds the ONE flyweight kickboxing title, is ranked No 5 in the bantamweight division, despite being yet to compete in it.
“I will be your worst nightmare. I’m ready now,” he wrote.
The moves come as speculation swirls over who will next face Anane, who was finally elevated from interim bantamweight Muay Thai champ last month having beaten Superlek by unanimous decision at ONE 172 in March, with “The Kicking Machine” losing his belt on the scale.
The 21-year-old Thai-Algerian has gone unbeaten since his debut loss to Superlek in 2023, with few fighters calling out the towering 1.92-metre tall phenom, who is expected to move up to featherweight in a year or two.
Yoza, for his part, appeared unfazed when asked who could be next after his latest victory at Lumpinee Stadium.
“I can fight Superlek, but I just beat the No 3 in the rankings,” he said in his post-fight interview in the ring. “I have the right to challenge Haggerty as well, but whoever ONE Championship gives, I will fight better than today.”
Yoza vacated his K-1 belt earlier this year to sign with ONE, and has quickly emerged as one of the most technically proficient strikers in the promotion’s stacked bantamweight division.
He later praised Petchtanong in another interview with ONE backstage, calling the 39-year-old “even tougher than I expected”.
“This was one of the special moves I’ve prepared,” he said of the combo that dropped the Thai in the second round. “Petchtanong is proficient with his front hand, so I aimed to evade that, then deliver a hook from above.”
