No Wraps, No Worries: The Mindset Behind Yuki Yoza’s Unorthodox Approach Ahead Of ONE Samurai 1
Yuki Yoza‘s rise in ONE has been defined by precision, composure, and a string of elite victories that have quickly positioned him among the best on the planet.
Now, that ascent has brought him to the biggest moment of his career. The former K-1 Champion challenges Jonathan “The General” Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title at ONE Samurai 1 on Wednesday, April 29, inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.
Yet even as Yoza prepares for a career-defining opportunity, one unusual detail continues to set him apart from every other elite striker in the division.
It first caught the attention of global fans during his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 109 in May 2025. After earning a unanimous decision over Elbrus “The Samurai” Osmanov, the Japanese star returned to his corner and casually removed his gloves, revealing he had fought without hand wraps.
The moment sparked immediate curiosity. In a sport where hand protection is considered fundamental, the choice stood out instantly. When Mitch Chilson asked about it in the ring, Yoza brushed it off with a grin, calling himself “crazy.” But behind that lighthearted answer was a more deliberate reason.
The 28-year-old said:
“I think I stopped using hand wraps in fights around my last four fights in K-1. I think it was when I fought Kongnapa [Weerasakreck].
“Originally, I didn’t use wraps in training anyway. Without them, I could use my wrist much more freely. How can I explain it? My wrist joint felt more flexible. But when I wrapped them for fights, I couldn’t move it the same way. I’d tense up.”
Rather than a spur-of-the-moment gamble, the decision grew naturally from his training habits. What felt normal in the gym began to feel restrictive under fight conditions, forcing him to reconsider what actually worked best for his body.
That realization led to a simple but bold experiment, one that would become a defining part of his identity as a fighter:
“So on a whim, I asked for permission to try fighting without them. And it felt incredibly natural. Since then, I’ve believed it’s better not to use them. So I don’t wrap my hands anymore.”
As Yoza refined his approach, he discovered that the absence of wraps was not just about comfort. It directly impacted the quality of his striking.
That technical edge has translated into results on the global stage. Following his debut win over Osmanov, Yoza defeated former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Petchtanong Petchfergus and reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek, extending his overall winning streak to 13 fights.
He said:
“For example, when I throw a body shot, in training this part of my wrist moves freely, so I can turn it over and land the punch cleanly with the knuckles. But when it’s wrapped all the way here – for me at least – the wrist gets locked. Then sometimes this part hits instead. The same goes for hooks. I can’t land them effectively.
“But when I tried fighting without wraps, my wrist could turn properly again. And I’ve even scored knockdowns in fights without them. For me, this wrist movement is the key point. So the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages.”
Yoza’s Method Born Out Of Necessity
Yuki Yoza’s no-wrap approach may raise eyebrows among fans and fighters alike, but those closest to him see it very differently.
To them, it is simply part of who he is. That ease and familiarity with his methods have created a quiet confidence that extends beyond technique and into his overall mindset.
His relationship with hand wraps is so distant it borders on unintentional.
Yoza said:
“Actually, I can’t even wrap them myself. I don’t even know how to wrap hand bandages, even in training. I mostly just hit the mitts. I don’t do any specific training to strengthen my wrists or my knuckles.
“Not just my hands, but after fights I usually don’t have any injuries. My fists are probably fine because I trained in Kyokushin Karate, where we fight bare-knuckle. So it’s not a problem for me.”
Surrounded by elite strikers such as former three-division K-1 Champion Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa and former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri, Yoza has built a reputation that removes doubt from the equation.
Among his coaches and teammates, there is no concern, only the expectation that he will emerge as he always does: unscathed and in control.
He said:
“Using hand wraps? No, I think it doesn’t matter either way. Personally, I don’t think it’s something you need to worry about that much.
“Whether you wrap your hands or not, you should just go with whatever feels best for you.”
