Ben Woolliss Targets Title Talks As He Faces Yuki Yoza At Inner Circle 22

Ben Woolliss will return to action against Japanese kickboxing star Yuki Yoza at The Inner Circle 22 on Friday, July 17, live on live.onefc.com. The British striker, known as “The Problem,” is seeking a quick return to winning form after his last ONE Championship bout ended in defeat.

Woolliss, 32, made a strong ONE Championship debut in March 2026 when he stopped former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker by TKO. He then lost to Petchtanong Petchfergus. He now fights for Soma Fight Club with a 30-7 record.

Yoza, 28, enters with a 22-3 record and a 3-1 mark in ONE. The former K-1 Champion has already beaten high-level names such as Superlek and Petchtanong with his fight-ending calf kicks. Woolliss said he has studied Yoza closely and is ready for the challenge.

Woolliss targets title talks

“Yoza is another top opponent. And I'm glad ONE Championship came through and gave me an amazing fight. I've studied what he does best. I've read his patterns. But I'm prepared for everything that he brings,” Woolliss said. He added that he is not focused on predicting the result.

“I'm not big on predictions, really. But I'm ready to battle hard through a three-round fight or go for the finish if the chance is there. Either scenario works for me,” he said. Woolliss also said that a strong win could move him into World Title talks.

At 20, Woolliss was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, which nearly ended his martial arts career before it began. He lost almost 14 kilograms. He now sees the Yoza fight as close to an unofficial number one contender’s bout and believes a win would put him back in the mix.