Katsuki Kitano

While many Japanese martial artists decide to take up judo, Katsuki Kitano chose a different path through life.

Kitano gravitated toward the striking arts and, although he was successful across the board, he found his calling in Thailand’s national sport of Muay Thai.

As a respected professional, he stormed through the competition, winning a WBC Japan Championship and a WPMF Title along the way. But his life would change when he entered the Road to ONE: Japan tournament in 2022.

Over the course of the tournament, he decimated the opposition to win a lucrative contract with ONE Championship.

In his first appearance in the world’s largest martial arts organization in October 2023, Kitano proved to be as good as advertised. He ripped through Halil Kutukcu to earn a decisive victory.

As the latest addition to the promotion’s stacked bantamweight Muay Thai division, Kitano has his eyes on one of the most sought-after belts in history – the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title.