ONE Championship recently revealed the acquisition of two more former K-1 titleholders: Hiromi Wajima, a former K-1 Super Welterweight champion, and Yodkhunpon, a former K-1 Super Lightweight champion. These significant signings follow a series of nine other K-1 champions who have joined ONE, including notable names like Chingiz Allazov, Marat Grigorian, Wei Rui, KANA, Yuki Yoza, Takeru Segawa, Masaaki Noiri, Toma Kuroda, and Rukiya Anpo, the latter having been recently recruited from Japan`s leading promotion, Rizin.
Last year, K-1 revitalized Yodkhunpon`s career when he secured the Super Lightweight title, left vacant by Tetsuya Yamato, through an impressive tournament performance. This marked his return to the 65 kg division for the first time since 2014. During his tenure with K-1, he maintained an impeccable 6-0 record, with five of those victories coming by stoppage. His move to ONE Championship is not entirely unexpected, given his prior expressions of interest in joining the Thai promotion.
Towards the conclusion of his time with K-1, Yodkhunpon was scheduled to defend his title against Yuki Yoza. However, Yoza had already departed from the promotion. This recent announcement reopens the possibility of this anticipated matchup. Nevertheless, Yodkhunpon`s past struggles with weight cutting suggest that ONE Championship`s hydration policies might necessitate a move to the 70 kg category for him.
Conversely, Wajima`s signing with ONE Championship was more surprising, as he had previously indicated a desire to transition to MMA after his K-1 contract concluded. Despite a challenging period last year where he suffered consecutive stoppage losses to the reigning K-1 Super Welterweight Champion Ouyang Feng and title contender Darryl Verdonk, Wajima made a powerful comeback. He secured the most significant win of his career by stopping Stoyan Koprivlenski, an opponent who had previously tested elite fighters like Tyjani Beztati and Kacper Muzcynski.
Although he is 30 years old and arguably past his absolute peak, Wajima is expected to invigorate ONE`s Featherweight division, which some consider to be in need of fresh talent.
Oliver Croft