May 19, 2025

On May 31 (Saturday), at the ‘K-1 BEYOND’ event held at the Yokohama Buntai, Egor Bikrev (Russia/ Kuzbass Muay Thai) will face Tomoya Yokoyama (Japan/ Libre-Roi) in the first round of the 6th K-1 WORLD GP Super Featherweight Title Tournament. Bikrev recently sat down for an interview to share his thoughts ahead of the matchup.

Bikrev is a former IFMA Russian Lightweight (-60kg) champion who made a significant impact in ONE Championship’s elite division. Known for his devastating punching power, he made his ONE debut at ‘ONE Friday Fights 86’ in November 2024, scoring a 1st-round TKO victory over Gingsanglek Wor Kumchamnarn with a right straight. He followed this up in December at ‘ONE Friday Fights 92,’ where he knocked two-division Rajadamnern and Lumpinee champion Panpayak Jitmuangnon out, marking two consecutive knockouts in ONE.

Yokoyama, on the other hand, captured the 12th Krush Super Featherweight title in February 2024 with a decision win over Naoki Takahashi. In July, he scored a KO win over Cabello Monteiro in K-1 and successfully defended his title in December, knocking out Yuta Matsuyama.

Interview Highlights:

Q: How did you feel when you received the offer to participate in the K-1 WORLD GP Super Featherweight Tournament?
Bikrev: “I felt it was a new challenge that I needed to overcome.”

Q: K-1 has a lot of legends and strong fighters. Are there any fighters you particularly respect or admire?
Bikrev: “I am aware that K-1 has many legendary fighters, but there is no specific fighter that I particularly admire.”

Q: What made you start martial arts?
Bikrev: “When I was a child, some of my classmates were training in martial arts, so I decided to join them. I realized that there was a path beyond amateur competition, which motivated me to pursue a professional career.”

Q: You have also competed in ONE. Do you have a standout bout from your time there?
Bikrev: “My most memorable fight was against Panpayak in December 2024. It was a great opportunity to test my skills, and I was really happy to get the 2nd-round KO win.”

Q: You’ve had back-to-back KO wins in ONE. How have those experiences impacted you?
Bikrev: “Achieving those victories gave me the confidence that I have what it takes to compete at this level. I feel prepared to showcase my skills on a big stage like this.”

Q: What is your impression of the other fighters in the tournament? What do you think sets you apart?
Bikrev: “I have watched the fights of all the other participants in this tournament, and I believe I am superior in every aspect.”

Q: What is your impression of your first-round opponent, Tomoya Yokoyama?
Bikrev: “He is indeed a formidable fighter. I’ve watched his fights and evaluated his abilities. It will be a tough battle, but I am confident I can overcome it.”

Q: After becoming a K-1 champion, what goals do you have?
Bikrev: “After winning the K-1 championship, my goal is to elevate the value of this belt by facing strong fighters from other promotions and defending the title successfully.”

Q: What message do you have for the Japanese fans?
Bikrev: “I want the Japanese fans, and everyone watching the tournament, to witness the strength and spirit of us Russian fighters. We never give up and promise to deliver thrilling battles.”

Q: Finally, what are your aspirations for this year’s K-1 tournament?
Bikrev: “Like all the other fighters, I want to win this tournament. I believe that this challenge will push me to my limits and give me the strength to succeed. I will give my best to win the belt in this tournament.”