BUZZ K-1 books Kouzi vs. Nagasawa for lightweight title on Dec. 29 in Yokohama

Kouzi is coming back to K-1 after about seven years, and the champion he wanted is waiting. At an Oct. 27 press conference in Tokyo, K-1 made Kouzi (TEAM ONE) vs. Samuel Nagasawa (B Make) official for the lightweight title on Dec. 29 at Yokohama Buntai, the first announced bout of K-1 World MAX 2026. It is set for three three-minute rounds with one extra round.

The fight grew out of a public feud. At the Sept. 12 K-1 World MAX, Kouzi, working as a guest commentator, challenged K-1 producer Genki Sudo, and Nagasawa said after his own fight that he would accept. The two kept trading posts on X, and the argument drew in other K-1 fighters and fans. On Oct. 23, K-1 formally offered Kouzi the title fight and set an answer deadline of the night of Oct. 25.

Kouzi's reply to that deadline was defiant. In a post on X he told Sudo he would come "someday" and that K-1 should wait. Sudo had said Nagasawa would get another opponent if Kouzi declined. The booking shows the deal came together anyway.

Kouzi has been away from K-1 competition for a long time. His last K-1 fight was against Seiya Kawahara in November 2019. His last kickboxing bout was in April 2023 against Ryusei Ashizawa, and his last non-exhibition fight was an MMA bout against Ashizawa in July 2024.

He also had another year-end option. Kouzi said Rizin had offered him four possible fights for its Dec. 31 show at Vantelin Dome Nagoya, and that he proposed fighting both shows. He said he was told two fights in three days would draw criticism of Rizin and that "you're not Tenshin," so he dropped the idea.

The card may grow. Yuzuki Satomi (team NOVA) vs. Hiroki Asakura (Asakura Dojo) was announced at lightweight, and Satomi proposed a one-day tournament for all four men. Kouzi said he was open to it if tournament money is added, Nagasawa called the idea fun, and Asakura said he could win easily. Sudo said he would weigh the practicalities, including for the champion, and watch fan reaction. Watch for whether the tournament replaces or sits alongside the title fight and Satomi vs. Asakura.