Get ready for a clash between Japan and Russia in ONE Championship`s bantamweight division.
ONE Championship has officially confirmed the promotional debut of former K-1 lightweight champion Yuki Yoza. He is set to compete against the undefeated Russian talent, Elbrus Osmanov, at ONE Friday Fights 109 on May 23rd.
This announcement caps off a rapid series of events for the Japanese fighter. In a span of only two weeks, Yoza announced his departure from K-1, relinquished his title, and signed with ONE Championship before his first fight was quickly scheduled.
Yoza previously secured the top position in the -64 kg Beyond Kickboxing rankings, notably defeating former champion Taio Asahisa twice since 2022. He is currently on an impressive 10-fight winning streak. For this ONE Championship bout, he will move up from 62.5 kg to compete in the 65.8 kg bantamweight division. Known for his dynamic style, Yoza has a strong foundation in Kyokushin Karate and made history as the youngest IKO world champion, securing the title at just 19 years old.
His opponent, the 23-year-old Osmanov, boasts a flawless professional record of 12 wins and no losses and has been highlighted as a potential future star in ONE`s bantamweight category. Despite achieving a perfect 6-0 record within the promotion, the fighter representing Team Mehdi Zatout only recently secured a long-term contract.
Murray Blackwood 
Gareth Pendleton