TOKYO, Japan — October 25, 2026 — Japanese kickboxing is preparing for a historic moment as GOAT Kickboxing Festival 3 brings three ISKA World Championship fights to a nationwide television audience, marking the sport’s return to live terrestrial television in Japan for the first time in almost 16 years.

Presented by Martial Arts Technologies, the event will take place at TV Tokyo Tennozu Studios in Shinagawa, Tokyo, with the action broadcast live nationwide on free-to-air Japanese television.

The landmark event features three international ISKA World Championship contests, bringing together elite fighters from Japan, Argentina, Greece and France.

Ryusei Kumagai Carries the Future of Japanese Kickboxing

Headlining the event, reigning ISKA World Super-Featherweight Champion Ryusei Kumagai (Japan) will defend his 59kg K-1 Rules World Championship against ISKA Argentine Champion Rodrigo Bogado (Argentina).

A prominent star of the KNOCKOUT organization, Kumagai enters the contest with more than a world championship at stake.

With kickboxing returning to mainstream Japanese television after nearly 16 years, the champion recognizes the importance of delivering a performance capable of attracting a new generation of fans.

Speaking at Monday’s press conference, Kumagai expressed the responsibility he feels ahead of the historic broadcast.

“I feel the future of kickboxing depends on me. It’s a high point of my career. I not only want to win, I want to have a fight that captures the hearts of the live TV audience and bring a new generation of fans to our sport.”

His opponent, Rodrigo Bogado, arrives as the ISKA Argentine Champion, looking to capture a world championship on one of the most significant stages in Japanese kickboxing.

Kenta Nambara Challenges Vaggelis Tzorzis for World Gold

In another major championship encounter, ISKA World Light-Cruiserweight Champion Vaggelis Tzorzis (Greece) will defend his 85kg K-1 Rules title against Japan’s Kenta Nambara.

Nambara brings impressive credentials to the contest as the reigning RISE Light-Heavyweight Champion and a former All Japan Karate Champion.

The matchup represents a significant international challenge for both competitors, with Tzorzis defending his ISKA World Championship against one of Japan’s accomplished heavyweight kickboxing talents.

For Nambara, victory would add an ISKA World Championship to his achievements and provide another major moment for Japanese combat sports during the historic television broadcast.

Yuki Kasahara and Soheil Dridi Battle for Vacant World Championship

The third world title contest features two-division SHOOT BOXING Champion Yuki Kasahara (Japan) against ISKA European Champion Soheil Dridi (France).

The fighters will compete for the vacant ISKA World Super-Lightweight Championship at 63.5kg under K-1 Rules.

Kasahara enters the matchup with championship experience across two SHOOT BOXING divisions, while Dridi brings European championship credentials into the international showdown.

With the world title currently vacant, the contest guarantees that a new ISKA World Super-Lightweight Champion will be crowned in Tokyo.

A Historic Opportunity for Japanese Kickboxing

Beyond the three world championship contests, GOAT Kickboxing Festival 3 represents an important opportunity for the sport’s visibility in Japan.

The return of live kickboxing to nationwide free-to-air terrestrial television after almost 16 years places Japanese fighters in front of an audience extending beyond traditional combat sports fans.

For the athletes involved, the event offers an opportunity to showcase world-class kickboxing while helping introduce the sport to a new generation of viewers.

With three ISKA World Championships at stake and international competitors challenging Japan’s leading fighters, the event could mark the beginning of a new era for Japanese kickboxing.

Official ISKA World Championship Fight Card

ISKA World Super-Featherweight Championship — 59kg, K-1 Rules

Ryusei Kumagai (Japan) — Defending ISKA World Champion

vs.

Rodrigo Bogado (Argentina) — ISKA Argentine Champion

ISKA World Light-Cruiserweight Championship — 85kg, K-1 Rules

Vaggelis Tzorzis (Greece) — Defending ISKA World Champion

vs.

Kenta Nambara (Japan) — RISE Light-Heavyweight Champion

ISKA World Super-Lightweight Championship — 63.5kg, K-1 Rules (Vacant Title)

Yuki Kasahara (Japan) — Two-Division SHOOT BOXING Champion

vs.

Soheil Dridi (France) — ISKA European Champion

Event Information

Event: GOAT Kickboxing Festival 3

Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026

Venue: TV Tokyo Tennozu Studios

Location: Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

Promoter: Martial Arts Technologies

Championships: Three ISKA World Titles

Broadcast: Live nationwide on Japanese free-to-air terrestrial television

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For Japan’s kickboxing community, GOAT Kickboxing Festival 3 represents more than another championship event. It is an opportunity to reconnect the sport with a nationwide television audience and demonstrate the excitement of international kickboxing.

Three ISKA World Championships. Four Nations. One Historic Broadcast. The Future of Japanese Kickboxing Takes Center Stage in Tokyo!