July 6, 2025

A press conference for “ECO Shinrai Service Co., Ltd. presents K-1 DONTAKU,” scheduled for Sunday, July 13 at Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall B, was held in Tokyo, where additional matchups were announced.

Hirotaka Asahisa (Japan/Asahisa Dojo) will face Bryan Lang of France (CRISTAL BOXING CLUB). Also, Taio Asahisa (Japan/Asahisa Dojo) will fight Danila Kvach of Belarus (Gridin Gym).

The elder brother, Hirotaka, and his younger brother, Taio, both took the stage to share their thoughts. Details and comments below:

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[K-1 Lightweight/3 rounds 3 minutes, 1 extra round]
Hirotaka Asahisa (Japan/Asahisa Dojo) vs Bryan Lang (France/CRISTAL BOXING CLUB)

Hirotaka won the WLF -60kg Tournament in March 2018 and claimed the title. At the November 2020 K-1 Fukuoka event, he defeated Tatsuya Oiwa. In September 2022, he lost by decision to Leona Pettas in the final of the K-1 Super Featherweight title tournament. He later competed actively in Wu Lin Feng (WLF), defeating Remi Parra by decision in March 2024. However, in the final of the WLF MAX -63kg tournament held in January 2025, he was knocked out by Giorgi Malania.

Lang is a four-division champion from France, holding world titles from ISKA, WKN, and other organizations. In January 2024, he fought K-1 Super Featherweight Champion Remi Parra. Using an unpredictable switching stance style, he shook up Parra with a right-to-left hook combination that snapped his jaw upward. Though he ultimately lost by a split decision, he left the impression of a close contest.

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■ Hirotaka Asahisa – Comments

– Your mindset heading into this fight?
“It’s been about a year and a half since I last fought in K-1 in Japan. Until then, I was competing internationally. My last K-1 fight was against Remi Parra. In 2024, I was recognized as one of WLF’s Four Heavenly Kings. In K-1, Ouyang Feng and Liu Ce have been doing well, so I want to make a bold statement as one of the Four Kings and crush my opponent spectacularly.”

– Your impression of your opponent?
“His record is 23 wins and 4 losses out of 27 fights, and he has a high KO rate. But I believe I’m the strongest in the world, so I will definitely knock him out.”

– Lang gave Remi Parra a tough fight.
“He’s from France like Remi, and while he gave Parra trouble, I actually beat Remi. So I’m not too concerned.”

– What did you think of Remi Parra winning the Super Featherweight tournament?
“I felt that the three Japanese fighters who fought him still lacked the strength. Matsuyama Yuta, who fought in the first round, is a promising young fighter and may become the one to challenge Remy in the future. Nakajima Chihiro in the semifinals had a complete style and could do well depending on the approach. But Yokoyama Tomoya in the finals—I don’t think he can ever beat Remy.”

– That’s quite a gap in ability?
“Especially between Matsuyama and Yokoyama. Those two had a noticeable difference with Remy.”

– Has Remy improved since he fought you?
“No, I don’t think he’s grown much compared to when we fought.”

– Some fans want to see a rematch with Remi.
“Right now I’m fighting at 63kg, so it’s tricky. But recently when I spoke with Remi, he said he’s also fighting at 63kg and that we can fight again. I believe I can beat him at 63kg every time. But ideally, I’d want him to come back to 60kg.”

– Some are calling for a rematch with Giorgi Malania, who KOed you in WLF.
“If there’s a chance, I’d like to fight him. But personally, I don’t think it’s right to bring him to Japan to fight. Since I lost in WLF, I want to get revenge there. If he enters a Japanese tournament, I’ll beat him here and then go win in WLF too. I will get revenge on Malania.”

– Fighting on the same event as your brother?
“Seven years ago, I won three fights in a tournament and he won his reserve bout. We’ll both win and turn it into Asahisa festival.”

– About Your brother’s ability?
“He’s gotten stronger. He’s been through a lot, especially with the challenges Miyata-san gave him, and I can see his growth. Despite suffering a major injury, he’s come back with more speed and destructive power than before. To be honest, he’s faster than me, even though I’m at 62kg and he’s at 65kg. I think he’s become very strong.”

– Your goal after moving up a weight class?
“When I was at 60kg, the strongest fighter was Remi Parra, who beat Leona. After I beat Remy, I was supposed to challenge Leona for the title, but the timing didn’t work out. I moved up to 62.5kg and started fighting overseas. I think if I’m weaker than past champions in this division, I don’t belong here. Honestly, I believe I’m stronger than the previous champion. My goal is to win this first fight and become the 62.5kg champion.”

– About That ring on your finger?
“It was a commemorative ring given at the WLF award ceremony. I think I’m the only Japanese fighter who got one. When I fight in WLF, I represent K-1’s Asahisa. But when I fight in Japan, I represent WLF’s Four Kings. Wearing this ring and badge boosts my spirit. It reminds me I can’t afford a poor showing. As long as I wear them, I’m determined to deliver the best fights and show people the Asahisa who’s been competing globally is on another level.”

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[K-1 Super Lightweight/3 rounds 3 minutes, 1 extra round]
Taio Asahisa (Japan/Asahisa Dojo) vs Danila Kvach (Belarus/Gridin Gym)

Taio captured the K-1 Lightweight title by defeating Kongnapa in July 2021 at the K-1 Kyushu event. In February 2022, he lost to Yuki Yoza in a super fight via extension round. A major injury forced a long hiatus, and in March 2023, he returned after a year for his first title defense—again against Yoza—but lost by decision. In October 2024, he came back strong with a decision win over Ryuka. In December, he knocked down and defeated YURA at RIZIN’s New Year’s Eve event. In May 2025, he returned to RIZIN and TKO’d Yoshiya Uzatsuyo in round 2.

Kvach was recommeded to K-1 by Chingiz Allazov. Well-versed in both kickboxing and Muay Thai, he fights fluidly in both stances and delivers a variety of attacks. In his K-1 debut last December, he knocked out Teru Terashima with a spinning back blow.

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■ Taio Asahisa – Comments

– Your mindset heading into this fight?
“It’s been about 7 years since my brother and I last fought on the same card. As the Asahisa brothers, we want to show the kind of brawling spirit that kickboxing lacks right now. I’m going all out to smash my opponent.”

– Your opponent?
“He’s not the ace of Team Allazov, but he’s always in photos with Allazov. He’s a good-looking and strong fighter. I’m really happy they brought in someone this tough. Beating weak fighters means nothing—I’m glad to face a strong one.”

– Your take on the May RIZIN fight vs Yoshiya Uzatsuyo ?
“I’m not trying to ‘carry K-1,’ but honestly, I think K-1 is a sinking ship. We fighters are the rebels trying to stay afloat. If things stay as they are, K-1 will go under. I want to help it soar, even if I’m alone. Winning isn’t enough—crushing opponents is what matters. This guy I’m facing is very strong, but I’m going in with that same spirit. I want to show I’m built differently. I became stronger as a person through that fight with Yoshiya.”

– K-1 fighters went 4-0 at RIZIN in June. How did you feel?
“The 4 wins were good for K-1. But as an individual, I listened to the commentary. Outside of Karimiya, who was making his MMA debut, the commentators said things like ‘no spirit,’ ‘could go either way,’ or ‘unimpressive.’ If people who know martial arts feel that way, casual fans must think even worse. It made me feel like K-1 is being looked down on. In cross-promotional or external fights, I want to see our champions go in with the mindset of utterly crushing the other side.”

Producer Miyata: “There’s RIZIN matchmaking to consider. I think Taio will get called up for a third or fourth time.”
Taio: “Then I want you, Miyata-san, in my corner (laughs).”
Miyata: “That’s not happening (laughs).”

– There’s Yodkhunpon in the 65kg class. Your thoughts?
“He’s strong. I saw his fight with Inagaki (Shu). But I still feel I’m stronger. I want to fight him.”

– Fighting on the same card as your brother?
“I want to make it an Asahisa Festival. I bet my brother’s thinking he wants a flashier KO than me, and I’m thinking the same. Let’s see who goes wilder.”

– Your brother once said you were way stronger than him. Has the gap closed?
“I don’t think there’s a single brother pairing where the older brother is weaker than the younger. I’m confident I can beat every fighter who beat my brother. Likewise, I think he can beat anyone who beat me. That said, if a brother is losing to his younger sibling, it means he hasn’t worked hard enough. No matter how many times we fight, he’ll beat me.”

– Your goal in this new weight class?
“There are a lot of reasons for moving up, but I just love the idea of smashing bigger guys. To be frank, nobody wants to see jabs and calf kicks anymore—it’s boring. I want to show explosive knockouts regardless of weight. I want to show the world the upgraded, more powerful Taio Asahisa.”

– Your thoughts on your brother fighting abroad?
“There are many Japanese fighters who are strong at home but can’t win overseas. My brother’s fought about half of his bouts abroad and keeps beating top fighters. That’s cool. He carries WLF on his back while fighting in K-1. I carry K-1 while fighting in RIZIN.”