Former K-1 featherweight (-57.5 kg) champion Taito Gunji officially announced his return to competition at a press conference in Tokyo earlier today. After an eight-month layoff, he’s set to make his debut under OFG (open-finger glove) Muay Thai rules in KNOCK OUT against former Rajadamnern champion Petchrungruang Sor.Jaruwan on June 22.
Gunji is the first among the wave of recently departed K-1 fighters to switch to Muay Thai rather than continue in kickboxing.
Two weeks ago, it was revealed that Gunji had ended his contract with K-1, though he remains under contract with K-1 Gym Sohonbu for another six months.
“After leaving K-1, I think my second chapter is OFG Muay Thai. I received an offer from KNOCK OUT and accepted it. While I didn’t have any fights lined up, I was training Muay Thai under Noppadet (a former Rajadamnern Stadium champion). My contract with K-1 has ended, but I’m still under contract with my gym. ONE is an option, but I can’t compete there yet. I want to gain experience in KNOCK OUT and eventually fight in ONE. For now, I want to focus on Muay Thai. This ruleset includes clinch and elbows—it’s scary—but my goal is to overcome that and win by KO.”
When asked what drew him to ONE specifically, he stated: "Back in K-1, I always said I wanted to fight aggressive fighters like the ones in ONE, but I never got the chance. I like the fighting style you see in ONE, and I think I’d match up well with it."
