Weigh-in Troubles Hit K-1 Yokohama: Champion Stripped, Fights Affected

In an unusual turn of events for the K-1 promotion, typically known for its professional weigh-in procedures, several fighters failed to make weight ahead of the K-1 BEYOND event taking place in Yokohama. A total of three competitors missed their required marks.

Yodkhunpon, the reigning K-1 Super Lightweight champion (with a 65 kg limit), weighed in 100 grams over the divisional limit. Consequently, he was officially stripped of his championship belt on the scales. His scheduled opponent, Shu Inagaki, is now the sole fighter eligible to claim the title. Should Inagaki lose their bout, the Super Lightweight championship will remain vacant.

Adding to the issues, Lyra Nagasaka, who was set to face Rui Okubo, failed to attend the official weigh-ins altogether and was therefore disqualified from his bout. Rui Okubo has been awarded the victory by default. Reports surfaced that Lyra Nagasaka posted a message on Twitter indicating his retirement, although this tweet was reportedly deleted shortly after.

Further weigh-in complications arose with Sota Amano, who missed his weight limit by a significant 2.2 kilograms. This substantial miss immediately put his fight against Leona Pettas in serious jeopardy, as K-1 rules mandate an automatic disqualification for fighters exceeding the limit by more than 2 kg. However, at the pre-fight press conference, Leona Pettas expressed willingness to fight under specific conditions: that this bout would be Sota Amano’s final appearance in K-1, and that Amano successfully makes weight at 63.0 kg during a crucial second weigh-in scheduled for 11:00 AM the following day. A final decision regarding whether this fight will proceed is expected by 5:00 PM.

Despite the weigh-in drama that marred the build-up, the K-1 BEYOND card remains stacked with four championship contests. Ouyang Feng is still set to defend his K-1 Super Welterweight title against Darryl Verdonk. Yodkhunpon will still compete against Shu Inagaki, albeit with the Super Lightweight title only on the line for Inagaki. Mahmoud Sattari and Thian de Vries will battle for the vacant Cruiserweight championship, and a one-night Grand Prix tournament will crown the new vacant Super Featherweight champion (-60 kg).