The K-1 JAPAN GROUP has announced that the contracts of fighters Taito Gunji and Masashi Kumura with the promotion officially ended as of April 30, 2025.
Taito Gunji made a significant impact in K-1 after debuting in Krush in 2015. He quickly ascended the ranks, culminating in winning the K-1 featherweight (-57.5 kg) championship in 2021. His remarkable 13-fight winning streak and title reign concluded with a loss to Takumi Terada last year, which marked his final appearance under the K-1 banner.
The 26-year-old fighter shared his thoughts and gratitude on social media, stating: “As of April 30, my contract with K-1 has ended. I am thankful for everything I’ve learned here. I will now challenge myself on a new stage. Please look forward to the announcement of my next fight.” He also added a note about his current status: “By the way, my contract with the gym is still in place, so I’m not entirely free yet, but this marks a turning point.”
Masashi Kumura, a former Krush champion well-known for his series of three fights against the current K-1 super bantamweight (-55 kg) champion Akihiro Kaneko, also commented on his departure: “As of April 30, 2025, my contract with K-1 has fully expired. K-1 holds many special memories for me, and I truly consider it an important organization. Now, I will leave K-1 for a while to pursue my strength and compete on the stage I seek. Please look forward to the second chapter of Masashi Kumura.”
With two more high-profile names exiting the promotion, following the path of other significant departures such as Takeru, Masaaki Noiri, and Yuki Yoza, fans and observers are left to ponder the future trajectory of K-1.
Jack Thornley 
Oliver Croft