‘I Have Been Through Hell’ – Yuki Yoza Vows To Release His Frustration On Ben Woolliss At The Inner Circle 22
Former K-1 Champion Yuki Yoza has spent the past year climbing toward the top of the bantamweight kickboxing division, and one setback is not about to change that mission.
The Japanese star steps back onto the global stage against Ben “The Problem” Woolliss at The Inner Circle 22, live from Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, July 17.
Their bantamweight kickboxing duel and the rest of the Asia primetime card streams live to subscribers exclusively at live.onefc.com.
Yoza carried a flawless five-year run into his first ONE World Title opportunity, including three straight promotional victories over Elbrus “The Samurai” Osmanov, former divisional kingpin Petchtanong Petchfergus, and ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek.
His winning streak came to an end at the hands of ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty, who beat him via unanimous decision at ONE SAMURAI 1 in Tokyo, Japan, this past April.
That defeat has clearly stayed with the Team Vasileus man, and he views his upcoming matchup as the perfect opportunity to put that chapter behind him.
The 28-year-old told onefc.com:
“This is a fight that will allow me to break back into the world’s top tier. I have fallen a little behind the best in the world, so I need to make up that ground. This feels like a battle against many different things.
“I am angry with myself and deeply frustrated about that loss to Haggerty. I want to show the full extent of that frustration in my next fight.”
Standing between Yoza and that redemption is a fighter who has not exactly shown him respect. Woolliss has shared his thoughts on the Japanese ace’s striking, questioning just how much of a threat his arsenal poses.
Yoza, in turn, has also sized up the Englishman. The read he has formed is not exactly flattering.
The Tokyo resident continued:
“He seems like a social media fighter. As in, I get the impression that numbers and metrics come first for him.
“He lost his previous fight to Petchtanong. I know that kind of transitive logic does not necessarily apply, but I beat Petchtanong, and from what I have seen, Woolliss may be the type of fighter who thinks about comparisons like that.”
Rather than dwell on words alone, he has channeled that frustration into preparation to ensure that the version of himself walking into “The Madison Square Garden of the East” this week is sharper than the one who left Tokyo empty-handed.
Some have speculated that the Brit could look to borrow a page from Haggerty’s own gameplan, given how effective it proved the first time around. However, Yoza has considered that possibility himself, and he does not plan to let history repeat itself.
The Japanese kickboxer added:
“Based on my last fight, I expect him to prepare a specific strategy. But that kind of fight unfolded because of the level that Haggerty and I were operating at.
“Even if Ben tries to copy the same approach, I am no longer the fighter I was then, and I believe there is a difference in level. I will show that here.”
Yoza’s Charge For Gold Is Far From Over
Should he get past Ben Woolliss, there is only one name occupying real estate in Yuki Yoza’s mind.
His five-round battle with Jonathan Haggerty tested him to the fullest and forced him to dig deep against a World Champion who mixed elite footwork with sharp counters throughout.
The Team Vasileus representative had his moments, landing his trademark calf kicks and spinning attacks, but the defending king’s composure down the stretch proved to be the deciding factor.
Yoza reflected:
“His game plan made me miss and caused me to rush, but I could have made more adjustments. The fact that I could not do what I normally do reflects my own weakness. His strategy and overall plan were very effective in that fight.
“If I had to describe that fight in a few words, it would be rock bottom. I am not exaggerating; I genuinely felt that my life was over. That is how much I had put into that fight.”
For now, Woolliss stands directly in his path, and a statement performance at The Inner Circle 22 would undeniably put him back into the World Title conversation.
But just who will be the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion by the time that next chapter comes around remains to be seen. As it stands, Haggerty is scheduled to defend his crown against former divisional king Hiroki Akimoto at ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17.
Regardless, Yoza will be paying close attention.
He said:
“The belt is my goal at this stage. I want to clear each step one by one. For now, my entire focus is on securing the victory.
“I have been through hell in training, so I will put all of that into the fight and make it the best possible day.”
