Elbrus Osmanov calls out Yuki Yoza for rematch in Japan

Yuki Yoza was the only man who had ever beaten him. Now Elbrus Osmanov has his contract, his momentum, and a very specific target in mind.

Osmanov stopped promotional mainstay Ratchasiesan Laochokcharoen in the first round of the featherweight Muay Thai main event at The Inner Circle, streaming live for members at live.onefc.com from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday, May 1.

The 24-year-old Russian landed a series of body attacks that put Ratchasiesan down three times before the referee intervened, earning the US$100,000 ONE Championship contract in the process. His career record now stands at 15-1, with the lone blemish belonging to Yoza, who beat him by unanimous decision at ONE Friday Fights 109 last May. Osmanov called out his rival before he even left the ring.

The body-first strategy was not improvised. His coach Mehdi Zatout identified Ratchasiesan’s defensive patterns before fight night, flagging the body as the opening. Osmanov trusted the blueprint, and it paid off in the first round against one of Muay Thai’s most durable veterans.

“Ratchasiesan has a good chin, and that’s why I hunted the body. Mehdi noticed this before the fight, and I did it. I worked so hard [in training] for those body shots,” he said.

“He has a big heart. I was surprised because I punched him very, very hard. I don’t know how he stood up. Ratchasiesan is a very strong fighter. Big respect to him. One of the best fighters in ONE Championship for me, if you ask me.”

After The Inner Circle win, Elbrus Osmanov wants rematch on enemy territory

Elbrus Osmanov was precise about what winning the contract means. It is not a destination. It is the key that unlocks the door to the fight he has been chasing since May 2025.

Three consecutive wins followed that loss to Yoza, each one building the case for a rematch. Now with a roster spot secured and Yoza coming off his own defeat to ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty at ONE SAMURAI 1, Osmanov is not looking for a quiet reintroduction. He wants the rematch in Japan, in front of Yoza’s own fans, and he sent the message directly.

“I’m feeling so amazing because I was waiting for this moment a long time. After every fight, I’m waiting for the contract. I’m so happy for this,” he said.

“It’s time to rematch with Yuki Yoza. You are a very strong fighter. I want to fight with you again, and I will beat you. Just be ready. Be in the best shape. I’m coming for you.”