Jonathan Haggerty to Defend Kickboxing Title Against Yuki Yoza at ONE Samurai 1 in Tokyo
Jonathan Haggerty is preparing for a high-stakes encounter in Japan as he looks to maintain his dominance in the ONE Kickboxing Bantamweight division. The 29-year-vintage champion from the United Kingdom is set to make his second title defense against a formidable local challenger, Yuki Yoza.
The clash is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, serving as a marquee matchup for the historic premiere of ONE Samurai 1. The 28-year-old Yoza enters the bout as a hometown superstar, eager to dethrone the champion in front of his own fans.
Haggerty arrives in Japan following a hard-fought victory at ONE 171 in Qatar in February 2025. In that contest, he successfully defended his belt for the first time, overcoming China’s Wei Rui—who entered the fight with a 21-fight winning streak—via a unanimous decision after five rounds of action.
While Haggerty aims to extend his reign, Yoza is brimming with confidence heading into the fight. Beyond the immediate goal of winning the title, Yoza has already signaled his intent for the future, targeting a subsequent bout with Nabil Anane. Yoza is confident he can defeat champion Jonathan Haggerty and has already set his sights on a clash with Nabil Anane.
A successful defense would further solidify Haggerty’s status as one of the premier strikers in the world, while a victory for Yoza would mark a seismic shift in the bantamweight landscape. Follow the latest updates via Google News.
