An epic bantamweight kickboxing contest between Yuki Yoza and Ben Woolliss has been confirmed for The Inner Circle 22 on July 17.
The Japanese star and the Englishman look to reignite their world title dream on the global stage in this high-stakes contest, which emanates live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
The world’s largest martial arts organization unveiled the matchup on its official website yesterday, and fight fans cannot wait to see this intriguing battle unfold on the global stage.
Yuki Yoza has taken the division by storm since he arrived in ONE Championship in early 2025.
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In his debut, the Team Vasileus star, teammates with Masaaki Noiri and Takeru Segawa, dished out a near-perfect performance to hand previously undefeated Elbrus Osmanov a first career defeat.
Just two months after the memorable win against the Russian slugger, he claimed one of the biggest wins on his resume with a unanimous decision win against former ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Petchtanong Petchfergus.
If neither of those triumphs was impressive, he left a statement when he crossed paths with ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion ‘The Kicking Machine’ Superlek at ONE 173 in Tokyo, Japan, last November.
Many expected the Thai megastar to cruise to victory. However, Yoza’s damaging calf kicks, counter striking, and efficiency saw him pull off an incredible unanimous decision win against the ONE world champion.
However, his perfect 3-0 promotional run came to an end when he challenged ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Haggerty.
The 28-year-old’s game plan failed to topple the defending king, who outstruck him across their five-round battle at ONE SAMURAI 1 this past April.
His road to redemption runs through Woolliss, who is no easy test.
The Grimsby native proved why he deserves a spot in ONE Championship when he debuted with a first-round TKO win against John Lineker at ONE Fight Night 41.
His sophomore outing, though, ended in defeat against Petchtanong.
Like Yuki Yoza, Woolliss returns in search of redemption. And a big win for him at The Inner Circle 22 could well set him up for an electric all-English world title duel against Haggerty.
Yuki Yoza vs. Ben Woolliss: Where the battle will be won
Close-range exchanges should be the first battleground.
Yuki Yoza carries the hands and power that make him a nightmare to share the pocket with — sharp counters, that famous calf kick, and a calm, calculated approach that has dismantled the likes of Superlek and Petchtanong.
But Woolliss is no stranger to firefights inside the phone booth, with equal firepower waiting whenever a foe steps too close.
Speed will be just as decisive.
Yoza is quick, but ‘The Problem’ has the rare ability to throw a flurry of weapons from the outside at a ridiculous pace, chaining them seamlessly as he closes the distance.
Edited by Aziel Karthak