Japanese fighter Hayate Kaji stopped Abubakar Yanon in the eighth round on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, handing Yanon his second consecutive defeat.
Competitive Bout Turns in Kaji's Favor
The contest was competitive between two aggressive fighters, with both enjoying moments of success. Yanon appeared to gain the upper hand early, rocking Kaji with a solid left in the second round and stunning him again with a right in the fourth.
However, in the eighth and final round, Kaji landed a left that forced Yanon to retreat. Although Yanon did not appear seriously hurt, the referee stepped in and waved off the fight at the 1:00 mark of the round.
Yanon Protests Stoppage
The 21-year-old Yanon, known for his punching power, immediately protested the stoppage, insisting to the referee that he was not hurt by the punch. Despite his objections, the result stood.
Record Implications
With the defeat, Yanon dropped to 8-3 with seven knockouts, while Kaji improved to 17-2 with 11 knockouts. The loss was Yanon’s second in a row, following a unanimous decision defeat to Perlito Exclamada Jr. in his previous bout.
