KNOCK OUT.60: K.O CLIMAX 2025 concluded the year with a volatile mix of world-class striking and scoring controversy, leaving fans at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium as divided as the judges' scorecards.
Kaito Ono def. Sitthichai
Kaito Ono secured a majority decision victory over the legendary Sitthichai, though the result sparked immediate debate among spectators.
Kaito utilized a relentless forward-pressure game, focusing on heavy low kicks to the Thai veteran’s lead leg throughout the contest. Sitthichai, ever the technician, appeared to land the cleaner scoring shots, repeatedly hammering signature middle kicks into Kaito’s guard and finding a home for several stinging head punches.
While the Japanese judges favored Kaito’s aggression and volume, many observers argued that Sitthichai’s control and impact warranted at least a draw. This win marks a significant milestone on paper for Kaito, yet the controversial nature of the decision leaves the true hierarchy of the lightweight division in question.
The former GLORY champion was puzzled by the result, later sharing on social media: “May I ask the fight fans who watched my kickboxing bout—did I really lose? I’ve been fighting for over 20 years, and this is the first time I’ve learned that I lost without winning a single round. If there’s no knockout, then it means a loss, right? But my style isn’t the aggressive, brawling kind—that’s what makes it difficult. This is my style".
Taimu Hisai def. Kongnapa
Through the first three rounds, Kongnapa appeared to be the clear victor to Beyond Kickboxing staff, effectively neutralizing Hisai by landing stinging punches to the head despite a surprising lack of his usual kicking game. Conversely, Hisai spent much of the regulation bout attempting flashy but largely ineffective strikes. In a shocking turn of events, an extension round was announced that was notably absent from the initial broadcast feed.
In that untelevised fourth frame, Hisai was awarded the victory, a result that has left fans questioning the transparency of the scoring. It was a bitter pill to swallow for Kongnapa, who seemed to have the fight well in hand at the end of regulation.
Unhappy with the result, Kongnapa posted on social media: "I gave it my all. I’m sad, hurt, and frustrated. It’s too ugly. I’ve completely lost my motivation. KNOCK OUT did me like this."
Ryusei vs. Shuhei Kumura
Ryusei needed little time to find his mark, ruthlessly exploiting Shuhei Kumura’s increasingly porous defense and lack of offensive output. He sent the K-1 alumnus to the canvas with a straight right at the end of the opening round, signaling the beginning of the end.
A pair of knockdowns in the following frame brought a swift conclusion to the contest. For Kumura, the loss highlights a worrying trend of "fragility" and declining durability, as he struggled to offer any meaningful resistance before the knockout.
Ryusei’s return to the win column suggests that his previous losses to Taimu Hisai may have simply been a stylistic nightmare rather than a decline in his own potential.
Mako Yamada def. Kiho
Mako Yamada successfully claimed the KNOCK OUT-BLACK Women’s Atomweight title with a dominant performance that erased the controversy of their previous meeting. Yamada implemented an aggressive, physical approach from the opening bell, leaving her younger opponent struggling to establish any rhythm or distance.
By the final round, the gap in volume and power was too significant for the judges to ignore, standing in stark contrast to the disputed outcome of their first encounter. This victory not only crowns Yamada as the new champion but serves as a definitive statement in their rivalry, settling the score with clinical efficiency.
