Zhu Shuai, currently ranked No. 3 in the Beyond Kick Featherweight (64 kg) rankings and a top prospect out of China, has called out Yuki Yoza via social media. He is looking to fill the spot as Yoza's opponent during his scheduled bout at K-1 World Max 2024 event this coming September.
Many feel that Chinese fighters from WLF can fill the gaps in this cleaned out K-1 lightweight division, and Shuai looks to do just that, as Yoza does not have an official opponent at this moment. With wins over top level K-1 fighters such as Koya Urabe and Hirotaka Asahisa, multiple WLF tournament wins, Zhu Shuai is ready to take Yuki Yoza’s throne.
Since signing with K-1, Yuki Yoza has won all 8 of his fights and essentially cleared out the division. He defeated previous reigning champion Taio Asahisa in a non-title bout in 2022, and then again in 2023 to capture the K-1 Featherweight title. In his latest fight, he TKO'd previous K-1 Champion Kongnapa which many thought to be his last challenge before he was truly crowned king of his division. As Yuki Yoza's desire for venturing to new organizations increases and the opportunity to join his fellow Team Vasileus members, Takeru and Masaaki Noiri in ONE becomes more viable, K-1 will hope to find worthy opponents to keep him interested.
K-1 World Max 2024 will take place on September 29th, 2024. Broadcasting has not been announced, but historically has been streamed globally via Triller TV.
