‘Finding Those Gaps Will Be The Key’ – Yuki Yoza On A Quest To Dethrone Jonathan Haggerty At ONE Samurai 1
Since the moment he set foot in ONE Championship, Yuki Yoza has had one name circled on his wall. Now, the wait to face that man is finally over.
The former multi-time K-1 Champion will challenge ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty at ONE Samurai 1 on April 29 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.
Yoza arrived at the world’s largest martial arts organization with one goal — to become a ONE World Champion.
From the very beginning, the Japanese sensation set his sights on Haggerty, a two-division, two-sport World Champion and the undisputed benchmark of the division. But wanting the fight and earning it are two different things.
A perfect 3-0 run, capped by a mesmerizing dismantling of ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek at ONE 173, made Yoza’s case impossible to ignore.
While the challenge is made in respect, Yoza arrives without a trace of fear.
The 28-year-old striker broke down Haggerty’s skills and said:
“He strikes me as someone who is very skilled at scoring points. Rather than forcing exchanges, he reads his opponent’s attacks carefully and controls the fight by landing precise, accumulated hits.
“His distance management is exceptional, and he’s masterful at positioning himself so that he simply doesn’t get touched.”
Haggerty forged his legend at flyweight, claiming 26 pounds of gold before moving to bantamweight. The same sharp technique, now amplified by a more imposing vessel, makes him a more formidable fighter than ever.
At ONE 171, “The General” reinforced that point, systematically picking apart tough opponent “Demon Blade” Wei Rui over five rounds, effectively snapping the Chinese star’s 21-fight winning streak.
Meanwhile, Yoza studied every moment. He knows the fighter across from him in Tokyo will be the sternest test of his career.
The Team Vasileus standout said:
“Since moving up to bantamweight, I feel his already strong technique has been backed up by even greater physicality.
“Each strike carries more weight, and you can feel the pressure in his offense. I think he’s become a threat not just in terms of speed, but in power as well.”
Yoza has already defied considerable odds. Defeating Superlek, considered one of the finest pound-for-pound strikers on the planet, proved he belongs at the sport’s highest level.
Now he arrives hungry to prove himself once more against the man who was always the real target.
Few fighters have found an answer to Haggerty’s puzzle. The English firecracker’s polished, layered game leaves very little room for error for his opponents.
The Japanese challenger, however, believes he has found the blueprint.
Yoza offered:
“Overall, he’s a well-rounded fighter with very few weaknesses. His punches, kicks, defense, and fight management are all at a high level — and that’s exactly why he has remained champion.
“That said, the more polished a fighter is, the more there are hidden gaps to exploit. Finding those gaps will be the key theme for me going into this fight.”
Yuki Yoza Ready To Become The Face Of Japanese Striking
There isn’t a more fitting stage for Yuki Yoza to make history. ONE Samurai 1 represents ONE’s mission to restore martial arts glory to Japan, and the 28-year-old intends to be its centerpiece.
That confidence is earned. Thirteen straight victories against elite opposition have built something unshakeable in Yoza. He called out Jonathan Haggerty, waited his turn, and captured this moment the hard way.
The Japanese star declared:
“At the inaugural event of this new series, ONE Samurai 1, I will prove that I am the strongest fighter in the world.
“I am the only one who can keep winning against the world’s best. I will start by capturing the belt. Then, whether it’s in the ONE Samurai series or overseas shows, I will take down every fighter who is called elite, one by one.”
But this moment extends beyond personal glory. A victory on home soil would resonate across Japanese martial arts and with every fan who has followed his rise.
ONE Samurai 1 is his coming-out party, and he intends to usher in a new era atop the bantamweight kickboxing ranks.
Yoza concluded:
“I will win the ONE belt — that’s a promise. It is because of the support of everyone who has stood by me that I am able to stand on this stage today.
“On April 29th, I will show you what it looks like for a Japanese fighter to become champion. I will become the face of ONE Samurai and lead all of ONE Championship forward!”
