Joe Rogan ‘Favorite’ Opens Up About Fighting Without Hand Wraps

Japanese kickboxing sensation Yuki Yoza has an unconventional secret behind his striking game.

The 28-year-old challenger does not use hand wraps under his gloves, and he has opened up about exactly why ahead of his ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title showdown against reigning champion Jonathan Haggerty at ONE SAMURAI 1 on Wednesday, April 29, inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.

Yuki Yoza has taken ONE Championship by storm since making his promotional debut in 2025. Famous MMA combat sports commentator Joe Rogan even called Yoza one of his favorite guys to watch right now, amplifying the Japanese star’s growing international profile.

He racked up three victories in three promotional appearances. His wins over previously undefeated Elbrus Osmanov, former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Petchtanong Petchfergus, and reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek at ONE 173.

Yuki Yoza: No Hand Wraps Transformed Fighting Style

The decision to compete without hand wraps is not something most professional fighters would consider, let alone embrace. For Yuki Yoza, however, the change came gradually and for a very specific reason rooted in how his wrists function inside a fight.

“I think I stopped using hand wraps in fights around my last four fights in K-1. I think it was when I fought Kongnapa . Originally, I didn’t use wraps in training anyway. Without them, I could use my wrist much more freely,” Yuki Yoza said.

The results of that change are reflected in a 22-2 career record built on the kind of powerful punches and calf kicks that have caused problems for every opponent Yuki Yoza has faced. His 3-0 ONE slate includes some of the biggest scalps available in the bantamweight kickboxing division.

Yuki Yoza Says Wrist Movement Key Point of His Striking Arsenal

The practical benefits Yoza has experienced from competing without hand wraps go beyond comfort. He has identified a specific mechanical advantage that the change provides, one that he believes contributes directly to his ability to produce knockdowns against high-level opposition.

“When I tried fighting without wraps, my wrist could turn properly again. And I’ve even scored knockdowns in fights without them. For me, this wrist movement is the key point. So the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages,” he explained.

Haggerty will need to account for every element of Yoza’s striking toolkit when the two meet in Tokyo. The reigning champion holds a 9-3 ONE record and has navigated some of the sharpest strikers in the bantamweight division during his title reign, but Yoza’s combination of calf kicks, punching power, and freely rotating wrists presents a stylistic challenge that few opponents have brought to the Circle against him.

Yuki Yoza Can’t Even Wrap Own Hands

The revelation that Yuki Yoza competes without hand wraps is striking enough on its own. What makes his admission even more remarkable is just how deep that habit runs. The Japanese challenger’s relationship with wraps goes beyond preference, he simply has no experience with them at all, even away from competition.

“Actually, I can’t even wrap them myself. I don’t even know how to wrap hand bandages, even in training. I mostly just hit the mitts. I don’t do any specific training to strengthen my wrists or my knuckles,” Yoza said.

Standing in his way is Haggerty, a 29-year-old British champion with a 23-5 career record and a reputation built on precision striking, epic push kicks, and tomahawk elbows.

The reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion is also a former ONE Flyweight and Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion and has won seven of his last eight bouts. When these two collide in Tokyo, one of the most anticipated kickboxing title fights of the year will finally have its answer.

ONE SAMURAI 1 takes place on Wednesday, April 29, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. Stay tuned to MMASucka for full broadcast details as they are confirmed.