Yuya Yamamoto

Yuya Yamamoto was born in Takasu, Onomichi in Hiroshima, Japan on July 15, 1984. He started learning karate at Kushukaikan during his high school life. Although he was only 16 years old, he won the All Japan Shin Karate championships at lightweight.[1] After winning the championship, he moved to Tokyo and joined Booch Beat, a kickboxing team, to be a kickboxer. On September 7, 2001, he debuted as a professional kickboxer for All Japan Kickboxing Federation(AJKF). At this time, he was only 17 years old.

In 2004, Yamamoto challenged Yamauchi's welterweight championship on January 4, but he was defeated by the unanimous decision at 5R. On November 19, he challenged Yamauchi's title again, but he failed to win the title because the match resulted as a draw.　In January 2006, he moved to Seishunjuku from Booch Beat.

On February 6, 2005, he fought against Yoshihiro Sato. He was beaten completely as he was knocked down 6 times during the bout of 5R. Sato knocked down Yamamoto twice at 1R, twice at 2R, once at 3R, once at 4R. Yamamoto was going to be retired before fighting against Sato. For this reason, although he was offered only 10 days before, he accepted this bout as a replacement.[2] Although he intended to retire, this bout was evaluated by K-1; thereafter, he decided to continue his career.

In 2007, he participated the tournament for the vacant welterweight championship of AJKF. He won the tournament on May 11, 2007, and 23rd champion of AJKF at welterweight. On December 28, 2007, AJKF announced that Yamamoto is going to be awarded "2007 Outstanding Performance Award" as he won the title and he beat Keiji Ozaki in October. He was awarded on January 12 in 2008.[3]

On December 5, 2008, he fought against Christophe Pruvost from Switzerland for his AJKF Welterweight title, but he was beaten by TKO by cut and he lost his title.

Yamamoto lost to Xu Yan by TKO at Krush.16 in Tokyo, Japan on February 17, 2012.[4]

Yamamoto competed in the Krush Grand Prix 2013 ~67kg First Class Tournament~ on January 14, 2012 in Tokyo.[5][6] In the quarter-finals, he went up against Hitoshi Tsukagoshi, a quick former 63 kg fighter. Yamamoto's power was too much for Tsukagoshi, however, and he knocked him out with a brutal left hook in round three. He then lost a split decision after taking Abdellah Ezbiri into an extension round in the semis.[7] He lost to TaCa via unanimous decision after an extension round at Krush.28 in Tokyo, Japan on May 12, 2013.[8]

He snapped the losing skid with a split decision win over Onder Ural at Krush 31.[9] This victory was followed up by a three fight losing streak, during which he lost by decision to Makihira Keita, Kerrith Bhella[10][11] and by knockout to Kotetsu.[12]

• • 2001 All Japan Shin Karate Championship K-2 Tournament Lightweight winner[13]

• K-1
  • 2009 K-1 World MAX Japan Tournament Runner Up
  • 2011 K-1 World MAX Japan Tournament Runner Up
• All Japan Kickboxing Federation
  • AJKF Welterweight champion[14]

• 2007 AJKF Outstanding Performance Award