October 19, 2025

On Friday, November 15, Taio Asahisa and Shu Inagaki will face each other for the K-1 Super Lightweight Title. We interviewed both fighters before their fight.

Taio Asahisa’s Interview

—Your thoughts going into this fight?
“I won the lightweight title, and now I’m moving up to take the super lightweight belt. This will be for the 8th (Hachi in Japanese) championship title. Actually, I used to have a pet dog named ‘Hachi,’ so it feels like the belt is coming back to me in that form. Also, today happens to be my parents’ wedding anniversary—what could be more memorable? This is a fight I’m destined to win. I will win—no questions asked.”

—What’s your impression of your opponent?
“You can tell just by watching—he’s serious, strong, and has a strong sense of justice. He’s a good guy. But since we’re fighting, I can’t just praise him—I want to beat him. I will become champion.”

—In your last fight against Danila Kvach, you were injured. How’s your recovery, and how are you feeling at the new weight class?
“I broke two ribs in the Danila fight, so I couldn’t train properly and could only move slowly. Even so, I did what I had to and got the win. More than anything, I think Danila was incredibly strong—stronger than the previous champ Yodkhunpon, and stronger than Inagaki too. Beating him gave me a lot of confidence. It’s not about 65kg—I believe I can win at even higher weights. It’s not about adjusting to the weight class. I’m confident that I can showcase Taio Asahisa’s strength.”

—Yodkhunpon has hinted on social media that he’s moving to another promotion. What are your thoughts on that?
“I moved up in weight to try and fight Yodkhunpon. After beating Danila, that title match was looking like a real possibility. But then he missed weight by 100 grams. I figured he was running. Then he posts on SNS about going to ONE. Yes—he ran.

Even if we fought, I would’ve beaten him, so I’m not hung up on it. But he came to K-1 from overseas, and that means something. This is K-1, the best promotion in combat sports. He abandoned that childhood love for K-1 to chase money—and anyone who does that is trash. Yodkhunpon, if that’s really you, then you’re trash too.

It doesn’t matter where anyone goes. As long as I’m healthy, I believe I’m the best in the world. If you want to go—go. If you come back here, I’ll crush you.”

—You were staring at Inagaki during the press conference. What were you thinking?
“I didn’t expect Inagaki to be the one to say he’s coming to kill me as an opponent—that caught me off guard. But he’s bringing the fire, and so am I. I’m going in ready to kill him.”

—This is a fight with a lot of attention.
“I want to win Fighter of the Year, MVP, KO of the Year—everything. I want to put on that kind of fight. He’s probably thinking one of us will fall, and if that’s the case, I’m going to be the one putting him on the floor. I’ve got the speed of a bantamweight and the power of a 70kg fighter. I’ll show that in this fight.”

—You have image like the ‘K-1 Discipline Enforcer.’ Do you have any interest in proving yourself in other organizations?
“Producer Sudo is bringing a fresh breeze into K-1. I was allowed to make my comeback in my beloved Krush, and I also got to fight at RIZIN’s New Year’s Eve and Tokyo Dome shows. Fighting outside the organization comes with weight.

But I find it pathetic when Krush fighters say, ‘Next, I want the K-1 belt.’ They should’ve been aiming for it from the beginning. With all the noise about ONE lately, fighters venting about K-1 are just embarrassing themselves.

I’m not saying this as a ‘discipline enforcer’ or anything—but if you don’t have love for K-1, what are you even doing here?

If they tell me to fight cross-promotional matches, I’ll beat everyone. If they come here, I’ll beat them too. But first, I’m focusing 100% on Inagaki, a tough opponent—and I’m going to destroy him.”

Shu Inagaki’s Interview

—Your thoughts going into this fight?
“After losing on May 31, I didn’t know when I’d return. So to be given a chance like this—I’m really grateful. A lot has happened since then, and I think I’ve grown as a person too.”

—What’s your impression of Asahisa?
“He’s full of love for K-1 and a true karateka. I want to become K-1 World Champion and be the face of the Super Lightweight division in both Krush and K-1.”

—What do you think of him moving up in weight?
“He was in the class below me, so I never thought of him as a potential opponent. But his fights are always exciting, and I’ve respected him for his passion for K-1 and who he is as a person. But now that he’s in my division and we’re fighting, I can’t feel that way anymore. Like he said, I’m looking at him with the intent to kill.”

—What did you think of his fight with Danila?
“He said Danila was stronger than me, but don’t underestimate me. Just wait until November 15.”

—Have you spotted any weaknesses in Asahisa?
“I’ve come up with a few strategies, but in the end, it all comes down to heart. This is my third shot at a title, and I’m going in with strong determination.”

—Yodkhunpon has hinted at switching promotions. Any thoughts?
“I’ve lost to him twice, so I’d like to get revenge. But my focus is on the K-1 belt. Right now, all I’m looking at is Taio Asahisa—nothing else.”

—Did you feel Asahisa’s stare during the press conference?
“Oh yeah, I felt it (laughs). I think it’s fine to be friendly before a match is made, but once the fight is signed, I don’t believe in being friendly backstage. We’re enemies until it’s over. I’m not here to play nice—I’m here to kill.”

—This match is highly anticipated.
“I’m aiming for Fighter of the Year. A fight between me and someone like Asahisa, who always brings the heat, is guaranteed to be exciting. One of us will be on the canvas—don’t blink.”