K-1 JAPAN GROUP has confirmed that the contracts of fighters Taito Gunji and Masashi Kumura with the organization officially concluded on April 30, 2025.
Taito Gunji established himself in K-1 following his 2015 debut in Krush. He rapidly ascended, claiming the K-1 featherweight (-57.5 kg) championship in 2021. His notable 13-fight winning streak and championship tenure concluded with a defeat to Takumi Terada in the previous year, which served as his last bout competing for K-1.
The 26-year-old shared his appreciation on social media, stating, “My contract with K-1 ended on April 30. I am thankful for all the experiences here. I will now venture onto a new platform. Please anticipate news regarding my next fight.” He also noted, “My agreement with my gym remains, so I am not completely independent yet, but this signifies a significant change.”
Masashi Kumura, a former Krush champion notably recognized for his three bouts against the current K-1 super bantamweight (-55 kg) champion Akihiro Kaneko, commented: “As of April 30, 2025, my contract with K-1 has completely concluded. K-1 provided me with many cherished experiences, and I genuinely view it as a vital organization. For the time being, I will depart K-1 to focus on improving myself and competing on a platform I desire. I hope everyone looks forward to the next phase of Masashi Kumura’s career.”
With two more prominent figures leaving the promotion, following the trend set by other significant departures such as Takeru, Masaaki Noiri, and Yuki Yoza, observers and fans are contemplating the future direction of K-1.
Ellis Thorne