Kotetsu Boku Aims To Honor "Kid" Yamamoto With Show-Stealing Performance

Kotetsu “No Face” Boku (26-12-2) wants to make a winning return to ONE Championship and honor a legend of Japanese mixed martial arts.

The former ONE Lightweight World Champion will take on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Bruno “Puccibull” Pucci (6-3) at ONE: ETERNAL GLORY on Saturday, 19 January.

ONE Championship’s first event of 2019 will take place at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia – a city the veteran of 40 mixed martial arts contests has happy memories of thanks to his TKO of Vincent Latoel there in 2016.

The 41-year-old has been out of action since December 2017 because of an injury, but he says he is back to full fitness and ready to turn in a vintage performance after a successful operation and recovery.

“Surgery and rehabilitation of my right knee have ended completely. I am feeling great in my current condition,” he says.

Because of his enforced absence from competition, this will be Boku’s first appearance in the cage since the news of Japanese mixed martial arts legend Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto’s death last September.

Yamamoto attained legendary status through a combination of an exciting martial arts style and unique persona. Despite often giving significant size and weight advantages to his opponents, “Kid” competed with no fear and delivered unforgettable performances.

Boku and many of his peers at the icon’s Krazy Bee gym were influenced by those displays, and “No Face” wants to continue that tradition in his match-ups.

“For this bout, I would like to have the kind of match that would make Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto say, ‘You did well,’” he says.

Boku will face a stiff test of his skills against 28-year-old Pucci, who is heading into the bout on a high after a 56-second submission victory over China’s Xie Chao in November.

The Brazilian is a renowned finisher, with all six of his career victories coming inside the distance, and says he has the perfect game plan to take “No Face” out.

However, Boku will be delighted if his opponent is aggressive. He would love to get the opportunity to trade with Pucci in the center of the cage and test his chin with his powerful hands.

Pucci’s reputation as finisher excites Boku, and the Japanese star says he is targeting a stoppage victory of his own to make a statement to the ONE featherweight division.

“I think it would be a good thing to beat a strong opponent,” he adds.

“My weight is perfect, and I can fight against Pucci even tomorrow.”