K-1 champions Yokoyama and Okubo spar at Ota event; Ikeda fights Kurokawa Nov. 23

Two reigning K-1 champions with a grudge traded punches in front of a festival crowd, and the same afternoon produced hints about what comes next for several of them. On Oct. 25, Tomoya Yokoyama and Rui Okubo sparred at the 2026 Ota Sporekku festival at Ota City Athletic Park in Gunma, according to Gong Kakutogi.

The pairing had history. Yokoyama holds the K-1 World GP super featherweight title and Okubo the featherweight title. When Okubo won his belt, he challenged Yokoyama, which started the rivalry. Gong Kakutogi said the two began with smiles and turned serious once the sparring started. Okubo fired jabs and low kicks, Yokoyama answered with repeated body shots, and the fans applauded the close-range exchanges.

The festival ran two days, and Yokoyama, a Gunma local, was the centerpiece of the final day. Okubo's brother Seri Okubo and Koji Ikeda also appeared. Ikeda and Seri Okubo had their own sparring round, which the outlet described as intense.

The talk show carried the news. Ikeda, from Takasaki in Gunma, used it to promote his Nov. 23 K-1 fight with Eito Kurokawa, which is already booked. Seri Okubo said he will become a Krush champion. Rui Okubo, who won his title in September, said his next fight is the real test and that he may fight on Dec. 29. The outlet read that as a hint at K-1 World MAX 2026 at Yokohama Buntai on that date, though nothing has been announced.

Yokoyama closed by saying he will hold a card in Gunma next year. No date or venue has been given.

Watch for Ikeda against Kurokawa on Nov. 23, whether Okubo is confirmed for the Dec. 29 show, and whether a Yokoyama-Okubo fight is ever made official.