This monthly report from Beyond Kickboxing highlights key movements and performances among the sport`s elite. As kickboxing continues its global expansion, spearheaded by major organizations like GLORY, K-1, and ONE Championship, athletes are in constant contention for improved standing in both public perception and official rankings. Each month, the Beyond Kickboxing panel meticulously updates rankings across all weight categories, from Heavyweight to Flyweight, alongside comprehensive pound-for-pound lists for both male and female competitors.
No fighter within the top 10 for Heavyweight (+95 kg), Women`s Openweight (+59 kg), or Women`s Flyweight (-53.5 kg) has been active this month.
Pound-for-Pound Men
Yuki Yoza (NR to 10) makes a significant entry into the pound-for-pound rankings. His dominant victory over the previously undefeated Elbrus Osmanov marked a successful ONE Championship debut. The former K-1 champion, now competing in a higher weight class, has set his sights on formidable opponents like Petchtanong, Ilias Ennahachi, and Jonathan Haggerty.
Akihiro Kaneko (6 to NR) exits the rankings after his loss to Koji Ikeda. This outcome was anticipated for the reigning K-1 Super Bantamweight champion, who, despite an impressive 12-fight winning streak, had recently shown signs of decreased agility and confidence, relying predominantly on his striking power since his victories against Masashi Kumura.
Light Heavyweight (-95 kg)
Michael Boapeah (7 to 6) secured a second-round TKO victory over Ștefan Lătescu (6 to 7) via damaging low kicks.
Thian De Vries (9 to 8) experienced an extraordinary month. He successfully defended his Enfusion 88 kg title, achieving a first-round knockout against Yasin Guren with a high kick, impressively recovering from an early knockdown. Mere weeks later, he seized the vacant K-1 90 kg title, delivering a first-round knockout blow via left cross to Mahmoud Sattari, again bouncing back from an initial knockdown.
Middleweight (-85 kg)
Ulric Bokeme (3) defeated Jailton Lutterbach by unanimous decision after an extension round.
Bilal Bakhouche Chareuf (8) earned a decision win over Eric Britto under Muay Thai rules. This result does not impact his kickboxing ranking.
Welterweight (-77 kg)
Chico Kwasi (1) and Tyjani Beztati (2) fought to their second consecutive split draw, with the GLORY Welterweight title on the line, concluding a rather lackluster GLORY: Miami event.
Lightweight (-71 kg)
Ouyang Feng (4 to 3) defended his K-1 70 kg title with a unanimous decision win over Darryl Verdonk in a back-and-forth battle that saw knockdowns on both sides.
Kaito (5 to 7) dropped a unanimous decision to Mohammad Siasarani (NR to 5). Siasarani has been steadily building a solid résumé, earning wins with his measured southpaw kicking style.
Stoyan Koprivlenski (8 to 9) picked up a decision win over Abdoulaye Diallo.
Super Featherweight (-67.5 kg)
Petchtanong (5 to 7) drops two spots due to a full year of inactivity.
Featherweight (-64 kg)
Yuki Yoza (1 to NR) exits the rankings after signing with ONE Championship and moving up to 66 kg, as the promotion does not feature a division between 61 and 64 kg.
Giorgi Malania (2 to 1) claims the top spot. The WLF champion holds a 19-1 record and continues to dominate the Chinese circuit.
Kan Nakamura (8 to NR) is removed due to a year of inactivity in the division, while remaining active at a lower weight.
Taio Asahisa (6 to 5) knocked out Yoshiya Uzatsuyo with a high kick in the second round.
Jin Ying (7 to 6) scored a unanimous decision win over Pinphet Banchamek.
Yuzuki Satomi (10 to 8) moved up a spot after knocking out Suleiman Beterbiev in just 28 seconds with a clean left cross.
Tomás Aguirre (NR to 9) reenters the rankings.
Kongnapa (NR to 10) reenters the rankings.
Super Bantamweight (-61 kg)
Tomoya Yokoyama (4 to 5) participated in the K-1 -60 kg Grand Prix. He secured a knockout victory over Egor Bikrev with a body shot in the extra round of the quarterfinals, then stopped Matthew Daalman with body punches in the first round of the semifinals. In the final, he was defeated by Rémi Parra (NR to 3) after three knockdowns.
Leona Pettas (8) knocked out Sota Amano in the first round with a right cross.
Rémi Parra (NR to 3) returned to the -61 kg division after eight fights above the limit and made a dominant run through the Grand Prix, knocking out Yuta Matsuyama with a left cross in round one, stopping Chihiro Nakajima after two knockdowns in the second round, and finishing Tomoya Yokoyama with three knockdowns in the final.
Bantamweight (-58 kg)
Haruto Yasumoto (3) successfully retained his RISE 57.5 kg title with a first-round high kick knockout over Yuta Kunieda.
Super Flyweight (-55 kg)
Akihiro Kaneko (1 to 5) lost by majority decision to Koji Ikeda (NR to 4) after suffering a knockdown in the opening minute.
Koki Osaki (4 to 2) advanced in the rankings by stopping Keisuke Monguchi (4 at 58 kg) with a barrage of punches in round two.
Kumandoi (5 to NR) exits the rankings after 18 months of inactivity in the division.
Flyweight (-55 kg)
Kazuki Osaki (1) stopped Corey Nicholson in round five with punches to claim the inaugural RISE World 53 kg title.
Jin Mandokoro (4) edged Riku Kazushima (7 to 6) by split decision.
Toma Kuroda (5) needed less than a minute to knock out Siwarat Wor.Ritnada with a knee to the body.
Toki Tamaru (6 to NR) exits the rankings after a year of divisional inactivity and an MMA debut.
Issei Ishii (8 to NR) leaves the list following 18 months without a kickboxing bout.
Ryuki Matsuda (9 to NR) also departs after 18 months of inactivity in kickboxing.
Tenshi Matsumoto (NR to 8) makes his debut in the rankings.
Momu Tsukamoto (NR to 9) enters the top ten.
Eito Kurokawa (10), the Krush 53 kg champion, joins the rankings.
Kaito Hasegawa (10 to 7) rose three places after a unanimous-decision win over Hiroto Yokoyama that included a third-round knockdown.
Women`s Bantamweight (+57.5 kg)
Débora Évora (8) defeated Lindsey Thomas by unanimous decision.
Eva Guillot (10) lost to Dorcas Olita by doctor stoppage in a bout for the 59 kg WAKO Pro European title. This result does not affect her kickboxing ranking.
Women`s Strawweight (-50.0 kg)
Arina Kobayashi (1 to 2) lost her RISE 49 kg title by extension round decision to Mei Miyamoto (2 to 1).
Women`s Atomweight (-47.0 kg)
Runa Okumura (9 to 10) was stopped by Haruka Shimada (NR to 8) via first-round TKO.
Aki Suematsu (NR to 9) enters the rankings after stopping Raika in three rounds with body shots.
Oliver Croft