The landscape of Japanese combat sports is set for a significant shift with the highly anticipated return of former K-1 featherweight champion Taito Gunji. After an eight-month hiatus from active competition, Gunji announced his next step, and it`s a notable departure from his previous path.
Instead of returning to the familiar kickboxing ruleset where he achieved championship status, Gunji is set to make his debut under open-finger glove (OFG) Muay Thai rules. This transition will take place in the KNOCK OUT promotion on June 22.
His opponent for this pivotal career moment is none other than Petchrungruang Sor.Jaruwan, a respected Thai competitor and former Rajadamnern Stadium champion. Facing a fighter with such pedigree in the art of eight limbs presents a considerable challenge for Gunji`s inaugural Muay Thai bout.
Gunji`s move marks him as one of the first prominent Japanese fighters recently associated with K-1 to explicitly pivot towards a pure Muay Thai ruleset rather than continuing solely within kickboxing or exploring alternative hybrid formats. His departure from K-1 was revealed just weeks prior, although he maintains a contractual link with K-1 Gym Sohonbu for the immediate future.
When questioned about the motivations behind this significant switch, Gunji pointed to a desire for specific kinds of opponents. He stated, “Back in K-1, I always said I wanted to fight aggressive fighters like the ones in ONE, but I never got the chance. I like the fighting style you see in ONE, and I think I’d match up well with it.” A slight wink might be forgiven here, as Gunji seems to be actively pursuing the style of competition he felt eluded him previously, finding it outside the confines of his former promotion.
The transition to OFG Muay Thai is not a trivial one. Unlike K-1`s focus primarily on punches and kicks with limited clinching, Muay Thai allows for extensive use of elbows, knees, and clinching techniques. The open-finger gloves also introduce a different dynamic compared to traditional boxing gloves used in K-1. This will test Gunji`s adaptability and technical breadth against a seasoned practitioner of the style.
The June 22 bout in KNOCK OUT isn`t just a return; it`s a reinvention. It signifies Taito Gunji embracing a new challenge, pursuing a different fighting aesthetic, and potentially opening up new avenues in his career. All eyes will be on Gunji to see how the former K-1 king fares as he steps into the demanding world of Muay Thai against a former Rajadamnern champion.
