Yuta Kubo

Yuta Kubo (久保優太) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former kickboxer, currently competing in the featherweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation.

As a professional kickboxer, Kubo is the former Krush and K-1 welterweight (-67.5 kg) champion.

Kubo made his professional kickboxing debut on January 22, 2005, against Shinji Aseishi as a featherweight (-57.15 kg) at NJKF "Infinite Challenge I", as a high school student.

He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 30–27 in his favor.

Kubo fought three more times over the course of the next six months, amassing a perfect 4–0 record, with his final victory over Kozaru at NJKF "Infinite Challenge VII" on July 23, 2005, earning him the #10 spot in the NJKF featherweight rankings.

His stoppage wins over the #9 ranked Shōkō on September 24, 2005, and the #5 ranked Yoshiaki Takano on November 20, 2005, as well as his unanimous decision triumph over Shōgo Kokubun on March 6, 2006, earned him the right to face top-ranked Masato Ōkawa in an NJKF featherweight title eliminator, which was held at NJKF "Advance IV" on May 3, 2006.

He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 50–47, 50–46 and 50–46.

Kubo was expected to face Yoshinari Nakasuka at "Shinou Hai" on July 22, 2006.

He was forced to withdraw from the contest on June 17, as he suffered an injury in training and was sidelined for the next two months.

Kubo was replaced by Kōji Okuyama, who stepped in on a month's notice.

Kubo faced Nichau Sithaikeriangtor in a super featherweight (-60 kg) bout at the Rajadamnern Stadium on September 10, 2006.

He won the fight by a third-round knockout.

Kubo next faced Kenpeth Shinongchai in an -84 kg catchweight bout on September 16, 2006.

He won the fight by a third-round knockout.

Kubo was expected to challenge the NJKF featherweight champion Nobuhiro Iwai at "NJKF Shinnou Cup Final" on November 23, 2006.

Iwai withdrew from the contest on November 1, after suffering an injury in training.

Kubo was subsequently promoted to interim champion status.

Kubo was expected to face an unnamed Thai opponent in a -59 kg catchweight bout on the "Thai King's Birthday" event on December 5, 2006.

His opponent withdrew on the day of the fight and was replaced by Somdet Por.Pantie, with the contest being upgraded to a -90 kg catchweight bout as a result.

Kubo won the fight by a fourth-round knockout.

Kubo faced the WMC Hong Kong Super Featherweight champion Daniel in a -58.5 kg catchweight bout at NJKF "Fighting Evolution II -Muay Thai Open-" on January 28, 2007.

He won the fight by unanimous decision, with three scorecards of 49–45.

Kubo was able to knock his opponent down once, with a left hook, in the second round.

Kubo faced Nobuhiro Iwai for the undisputed NJKF featherweight championship at NJKF "Fighting Evolution III -3 Kings Champion Carnival-" on March 18, 2007.

The pair was originally scheduled to face each other on November 23, before Iwai withdrew with an injury and was therefore stripped of the title, although he was ranked as the #1 contender for the vacant title.

Kubo won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.

The bout was stopped by the referee, on the advice of the ringside physician, due to a cut on Iwai's forehead.

Following this victory, Kubo was ranked as the second-best featherweight in the WBC Muaythai Japan rankings, only behind Genki Yamamoto.

Kubo faced Farkamwang SKV Gym at NJKF "Fighting Evolution VI" on May 13, 2007, in a WINDY CUP sponsored fight, who offered the winner an additional prize of ฿100,000 (~¥360,000).

He won the fight by majority decision, with scores of 50–49, 50–50 and 50–48.

Kubo faced Chaichana Patong Gym for the WPMO World Super featherweight (-60 kg) championship at "World Muay Thai Federation Championship" on July 3, 2007.

He won the fight by a fifth-round knockout.

Kubo was furthermore the 2011 K-1 World MAX Lightweight (-63 kg) Japan Tournament winner, 2013 Krush Welterweight (-67.5 kg) Grand Prix winner, 2013 Glory 65kg Slam Tournament Winner, and the 2017 K-1 World GP Welterweight (-67.5 kg) World Grand Prix Winner.

Combat Press ranked him as a top ten featherweight kickboxer in the world between September 2014 and July 2016, as well as between April and July 2020.

In September 2016, Kubo was detained and arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on allegations of assault causing bodily harm raised by his then-wife.

According to his ex-wife's testimony, she was verbally and physically assaulted by Kubo, who was upset over a failed stock investment.

Kubo punched the woman several times in the head, causing eardrum rupture in both of her ears, which left long-term residual effects in one of the ears.

After divorcing, the two reached an out-of-court settlement, which obliged Kubo to pay his wife an undisclosed amount in damages, but spared him from being prosecuted by the Public Prosecutors Office.

Yuta Kubo was put practicing taekwondo at age of 8 with his younger brother, Kenji under a Zanichi Korean family friend.

He eventually took up kickboxing at the age of 15.