A clash between Japan and Russia is set to take place in ONE Championship`s bantamweight division. The promotion has officially announced the debut of former K-1 lightweight champion Yuki Yoza, who will face the unbeaten Russian prospect Elbrus Osmanov at ONE Friday Fights 109 on May 23.
This has been a rapid transition period for the Japanese star. In a span of just two weeks, Yoza confirmed his exit from K-1, vacated his championship belt, signed with ONE Championship, and had his first promotional fight booked.
Yoza earned the top ranking in the Beyond Kickboxing -64 kg division by defeating former champion Taio Asahisa twice since 2022. He currently boasts a winning streak of ten consecutive fights and is moving up from 62.5 kg to compete in ONE’s 65.8 kg bantamweight category. The dynamic striker has a strong foundation from Kyokushin Karate and holds the record for being the youngest IKO world champion in history, achieving the feat at only 19 years old.
Standing opposite him is the 23-year-old Osmanov, who holds a perfect record of 12 wins and zero losses and has been highlighted as a potential future star for ONE`s bantamweight division. Despite his flawless 6-0 run under the ONE banner, the fighter representing Team Mehdi Zatout had not yet secured a long-term contract with the organization—until now.
Jack Thornley 
Oliver Croft