​Ben “The Problem” Woolliss has absorbed Yuki Yoza’s words loud and clear, and hours before their much-anticipated clash he’s fired back with his own message. The British bantamweight contender will square off with the seasoned Japanese veteran in a high-stakes kickboxing duel at The Inner Circle 22, set for Friday, July 17. The event will stream exclusively through live.onefc.com from the storied Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Yoza had branded Woolliss a “social media fighter,” insinuating that the Englishman’s priorities lie with metrics rather than martial arts. It’s a dig that landed just as they prepare to meet, and Woolliss, now 32, isn’t about to let it slide.
Woolliss made a strong ONE Championship debut this past March, scoring a first-round TKO over former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker. In his next outing, two months later, he endured a tough defeat at the hands of Petchtanong Petchfergus, the former bantamweight kickboxing champion within the promotion. The moniker “The Problem” now carries extra weight as he approaches The Inner Circle 22, with Yoza’s remark stoking the fire and sharpening his focus.
He stated, firmly and with conviction: “I was fighting long before social media even existed. I’ve spent my life in gyms, breathing martial arts for the past two decades. Social media is merely a byproduct. I couldn’t care less about numbers or online influence.” He challenged Yoza and anyone watching to see who’s truly committed on Friday night. “Let’s see who’s really about it. That comment only fuels me to prove more. Social media is secondary. I care for the pure martial arts, competition, and fighting—the very things I’ve dedicated my entire existence to over the last 20 years. I didn’t sleep on a blue mattress in a gym for three years chasing World Titles just because I cared about Instagram. So, let’s see.”
Yoza’s remark has undeniably added another layer of motivation to an already formidable opponent. The clash between Woolliss and Yoza has now become personal in the eyes of the Englishman, elevating the intensity of what promises to be a riveting encounter. Woolliss had hoped this bout could propel him toward a ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title shot, but in light of recent exchanges, the rivalry feels more heated and meaningful than ever.
The fighter who has battled Crohn’s disease knows precisely what he’s capable of inside the ring, and he’s determined not to prove anything to outsiders so much as to himself. He added with quiet determination: “I feel like he’s probably underestimating us, but I don’t care what anyone thinks or what he’s thinking. I know what I’m capable of, I know what I can do, and Friday night I’m going to come and show it.” The countdown to Friday’s showdown is on, and Woolliss is ready to answer the challenge with a performance that leaves no doubt about his mettle in the circle.