Former K-1 featherweight champion Taito Gunji is set to return to competition and make his debut in Muay Thai. He officially announced his comeback during a press conference held in Tokyo, following an eight-month break from fighting. Gunji is scheduled to compete under open-finger glove (OFG) Muay Thai rules in the KNOCK OUT promotion on June 22.
His opponent for this significant debut will be Petchrungruang Sor.Jaruwan, a former Rajadamnern champion.
Gunji`s transition is noteworthy as he becomes the first among the recent wave of fighters departing K-1 to switch to Muay Thai, rather than continuing their careers exclusively in kickboxing.
Regarding his interest in other fight styles or promotions, Gunji reportedly mentioned that during his time in K-1, he frequently expressed a desire to face aggressive fighters similar to those seen in promotions like ONE Championship, but the opportunities never arose. He added that he finds the fighting style often displayed in organizations like ONE appealing and believes his own approach would match up well against it.
Murray Blackwood 
Gareth Pendleton