Before his non-title bout with Petchdam at the K-1 World MAX 2024 on September 29, Yuki Yoza gave an exclusive interview with Beyond Kickboxing's Woradon Yomjinda on the upcoming fight, his training overseas and his gym, his tough road to title and what is next for him.
FIGHTING PETCHDAM
What does it mean for you to fight Petchdam?
Petchdam was the former ONE Championship title holder. He is one of the top fighters. As a fighter, I am very happy that I got to fight him.
You said that Petchdam is "the best opponent" and "the strongest". What about Petchdam that makes you think he is the strongest opponent?
Well, considering his achievements, the opponents he has fought, I think he will be the best, the strongest fighter I have ever fought.
I see. Next question, have you prepared anything special for Petchdam's fight?
This will be my third southpaw opponent in a row. So, I already have a way to fight a southpaw opponent. On top of that I have worked on Petchdam's weakness or areas that he is not good at with my trainer. Yes, I have developed new skills.
I saw that you posted on X that you are recruiting new training partners. Are you trying to find new southpaw training partners?
Not exactly. How do I say this… I do not expect sparring partners to actually come. Whether you are orthodox or southpaw, if you are willing to spar, I would be happy to have you.
I see. What do you think will be the biggest challenge in this fight?
Hmm… his reach and that I think he will try to clinch me if he is hurt. It's against the rules in K-1, but when I think about how to knock him out it would be a problem… I guess you can call it a problem.
You said that you want to beat Petchdam by knockout. Specifically, which technique do you want to use to knock Petchdam out?
Well, a technique that no one has seen before. I want to knock him out with a technique that no one in kickboxing has used before.
Would that be a karate technique?
No, it would be my technique.
I believe you have already analysed Petchdam’s fighting styles. What timing do you aim to knock him out?
The earlier the better. Ideally, [the first round].
TRAINING ROUTINE
You have experience of training in many countries. In Thailand, you trained at Petchyindee Academy and Superbon Gym. What did you learn from those experiences?
The techniques and training methods are different from Japan. For me there were things that I thought would be good for me to change. But more importantly is the impact it had on my mentality like staying hungry.
I see. The impact on your mentality would be number one. You also talked about differences in training methods. What are those?
For example, how you spend time each day. In Thailand, training 2 to 3 times a day is the standard. They train very early in the morning. I don't think I lose to them when it comes to how hard I train, but they train in the morning and in the evening. And I think it is good that they have a supervisor who adjusts the training. I am the type that runs in the evening, so I think I learnt how you can better spend your time in the morning.
I believe you include a lot of running in your training compared to other fighters. Could you tell me the reasons?
There is no reason in particular. It has just become my routine. But I think running is better for me, for my senses. Well, I had been in a track sport club since back in my middle school.
What about high school?
I was in the track club both in middle and high school. I went to the level that I received an endorsement as an Ekiden athlete.
(Writer’s note: Ekiden is the most prestigious university-level relay event in Japan. High school student athletes in Japan could receive an endorsement from their schools based on their athletic accomplishments when they apply to a university).
Staying on the topic of training. You have trained in the Netherlands at Mike’s gym. How does it compare to your current training at Team VASILEUS?
At Mike's gym there is not much pad training, and the focus is on sparring and technique drilling. At my gym, we do pad training, and sparring, a bit more random like actual fights. That is my impression.
As you have trained in many countries, which type of training do you think suits you best?
When I went to the Netherlands and experienced hard sparring and how often they spar, I thought this really suits me. But also, I think you need to also do pad training like I do in Japan. Right now, I think it would be good if I could do more sparring.
How does training in each country impact your fighting style?
That is a difficult question. About Thailand's influences, in Thailand, there is not much hard sparring, there are more light sparring. It is simpler, same with pad training, you don't overthink and just kick and punch and defeat your opponents. That was what I experienced when I went to train in Thailand for Kongnapa's fight. Because of that, before I used to overthink, now I make things simpler. So, when I fought Kongnapa, I didn't overthink and just kicked his legs. That was good influence on me.
In the Netherlands, I got better with my combinations thanks to the drills and sparrings I did there.
The more countries I visit, the more well-balanced my styles develop. That is what I thought.
What influences has Team VASILEUS had on you?
Over there, it's not just about techniques—since everyone is a champion, it helps me understand where I truly stand. As one of those champions, I always remind myself that I'm among the leaders. It’s a place that makes me realize the true importance of being a champion.
You are talking about the like of Masaaki Nori, Takeru right?
Yes, of course. They are pioneers. Seeing them, I feel like I am not yet satisfied and have a long way to go.
Your 'Yoza Kick' is famous even outside of Japan. How did you perfect it?
It’s simple. I like martial arts. I watch a lot of fights, not just kickboxing but boxing and MMA as well. I don’t just watch them, but while watching I also think "I can use this technique". Then I connect the dots and think how I would make the techniques my own.
HIS BEGINNINGS
When you just transitioned into kickboxing, you worked from early morning, then trained in the evening. It must have been very difficult. What is the motivation that you had back then?
That is difficult. You can call it rebellious spirit. That is what drove me back then. Like "Just you wait and see!"
At the time, what was your aim and/or dream in kickboxing?
Back then, I could not fight in K-1, [laugh] so the first goal was to be able to fight in K-1. Then, I wanted to become a K-1 champion, to become famous and to make money [laugh]. My dream was rather vague.
By the way, I heard that you used to travel from your home in Ibaraki prefecture to your gym in Tokyo every day. Is this true?
Yes, I did that every day until the Kan Nakamura’s fight this March. Now, I finally didn't need to do that anymore.
How long did that take you each day?
The round trip took me 5 hours.
That must have been tough [laugh].
Yes [laugh]. But when you did it every day, it didn't feel that far.
YOZA'S FUTURE
You have said that you want to fight often. K-1 only does a few events in Japan each year, so would you be interested in fighting in K-1 events abroad as well?
Well, yes. There will be some conditions. But yes, I would love to. In many countries, in many places. I want to fight with many strong opponents [laugh].
Any country in particular?
Beautiful countries would be good.
For example, K-1 has now done events in Italy and Brazil, maybe the Netherlands in the future… how about it?
I do want to go to the Netherlands or other countries in Europe.
Some members of our staff at Beyond Kickboxing and also many of our readers come from the Netherlands. What do you like about the country?
I think that people there are kinder than Japanese people. I like that. And I am still in contact with people from Mike’s gym. That is why I want to go there.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Do you have any message for fans overseas?
I see my current self as just a stepping stone, and from here, I want to defeat the best fighters in the world one by one. I know there are still many people overseas who don’t know me yet, but I want to turn all of them into my fans.
Thank you very much for the interview. I look forward to your fight!
Thank you very much.
You can watch Yuki Yoza’s fight with Petchdam on September 29 on ABEMA TV.
