‘I Never Hesitate’ – How Yuki Yoza Turned The Calf Kick Into An Art Form

Every opponent Yuki Yoza has faced knew exactly what was coming, yet every single one was helpless to stop it. The 28-year-old has carved out a fantastic 22-2 career record and perfect 3-0 slate in ONE Championship against top-notch opposition, and the calf kick has been a constant, crippling presence throughout every victory. On Wednesday, April 29, at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, the Japanese contender will unleash that same destructive weapon in his biggest test yet, as he’ll challenge ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty for the gold at ONE SAMURAI 1 .

View this post on Instagram Yoza announced himself to the upper echelon of the striking world with emphatic victories over former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Petchtanong Petchfergus and reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek , using that ferocious calf kick as the catalyst for both wins. He is hardly alone. Team Vasileus has made the stifling blow something of a house weapon, with Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa and former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri both wielding it to devastating effect.

But Yoza has taken it further than anyone, weaving it so deeply into his game that it has become synonymous with his name. He said: “I think MMA fighters use it more like a jab, as a common tool. It’s definitely a trending technique.

It’s a bit different from how I use it. Mine is meant to break the leg with one shot. It’s the same kick, but I think the way it’s used is a little different.