Japanese Striking Sensation Yuki Yoza Opens Up About Fighting Without Hand Wraps

Most fighters cannot imagine competing without hand wraps. Yuki Yoza cannot imagine competing with them.

The Japanese kickboxer makes his biggest career appearance yet when he challenges reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty at ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Ahead of that showdown, Yoza has shed light on one of the more remarkable quirks of his preparation, a detail that separates him from every other striker competing at the elite level today.

The decision to ditch hand wraps did not happen overnight. It evolved gradually through his K-1 career until it became permanent.

"I think I stopped using hand wraps in fights around my last four fights in K-1. I think it was when I fought Kongnapa. Originally, I didn't use wraps in training anyway. Without them, I could use my wrist much more freely," Yoza said.

What started as a preference became a necessity once he understood how wraps were affecting his performance inside the ring. The restriction they created was not something he was willing to accept.

"How can I explain it? My wrist joint felt more flexible. But when I wrapped them for fights, I couldn't move it the same way. I'd tense up," he said.

The story takes an even more unexpected turn from there.

For Yoza, the absence of hand wraps is not simply a stylistic choice. It is the only reality he has ever known in training.

"Actually, I can't even wrap them myself. I don't even know how to wrap hand bandages, even in training. I mostly just hit the mitts. I don't do any specific training to strengthen my wrists or my knuckles," he said.

Now comes the ultimate test. Haggerty, 29, is one of ONE's most decorated champions, and defending his bantamweight kickboxing crown in Tokyo will motivate the Briton to deliver his best performance. Yoza, bare-wristed and unintimidated, is ready to meet him there.