Yuki Kyotani (Japanese: 京谷祐希, Kyotani Yuki, born 20 July 1988) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the bantamweight division of RISE. Between December 2021 and June 2022, Combat Press ranked him as the tenth best flyweight in the world.[1][2]
Kickboxing career
Early career
Kyotani was scheduled to face Jom OishiGym at RKS Fist Runaway Typhoon Legend vol.1 on March 6, 2016. He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[3]
Kyotani was scheduled to face Yuta “Cat” Hamamoto at REBELS 44 on July 10, 2016. He won the fight by a wide unanimous decision, with scores of 30-24, 30-24 and 30-24.[4]
Kyotani participated in a one-night Hoost Cup West Japan Top Fighter 55 kg tournament. He faced Shuhei Kumura in the semifinals, whom he beat by unanimous decision, with scores of 30-29, 30-29 and 30-28. Kyotani advanced to the tournament finals, where he faced KING Kyosuke. He lost the final match by unanimous decision, with scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.[5][6]
RISE
Kyotani was scheduled to face Azusa Kaneko at RISE WORLD SERIES 2019 Final Round on September 16, 2019.[7] He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout, stopping Kaneko with a flurry of punches at the 2:09 minute mark.[8]
Kyotani faced Shiro Matsumoto at Rise 136 on January 13, 2020. He lost the fight by majority decision, with scores of 30-29, 29-29 and 30-29.[9]
Kyotani was expected to fight Rasta Kido in the reserve match of the 2020 RISE Asia Series tournament, at the April 12, 2020, RISE Word Series event.[10] The entire event was later postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]
Kyotani was scheduled to face the former two-weight WMC Japan champion David Chibana at Rise 141 on August 23, 2021.[12] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 30-28.[13]
Kyotani was scheduled to face Yosuke at Rise Dead or Alive 2020 Osaka on November 1, 2020.[14] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30-29, 30-28 and 30-29.[15]
Kyotani was expected to fight Kyosuke, who was moving up to RISE's bantamweight division from super flyweight, at Rise 149 on May 23, 2021.[16] On April 24, 2021, it was revealed that Kyosuke had withdrawn from the bout due to a left lunate fracture, and would be replaced by the DEEP KICK bantamweight champion Ryoga Terayama.[17] The fight was ruled a unanimous decision draw after the first three rounds, with scores of 30-30, 29-29 and 30-30. An extension round was fought, after which the fight was once again ruled a draw by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring it 10-10.[18]
Kyotani was scheduled to face the Shootboxing Japan bantamweight champion Kyo Kawakami at Rise World Series 2021 Osaka on July 18, 2021, in his hometown of Osaka.[19] He lost the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding Kawakami a 30-29 scorecard.[20]
Kyotani was scheduled to face the reigning Shootboxing Japan super bantamweight champion Seiki Ueyama at Rise World Series 2021 Osaka 2 on November 14, 2021, once again fighting in his hometown.[21] He won the fight by technical decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 30-29 in his favor. The fight was stopped due to a cut above Ueyama's left ear, which was caused by an accidental headbutt.[22]
Kyotani was booked to face Takuya at RISE 155 on February 23, 2022.[23] He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[24]
Kyotani was booked to face Ryunosuke Omori at RISE World Series Osaka 2022 on August 21, 2022.[25] He lost the fight by a second-round knockout.[26]
Kyotani faced Yugo Kato at RISE 166 -RISE 20th Memorial event- on February 23, 2023.[27]
Kyotani faced Shoma at RISE World Series 2023 - 1st Round on July 2, 2023. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30-29, 30-28 and 30-28.[28]
Kyotani faced Rasta at RISE 177 on April 21, 2024.[29] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[30]