Yura Kono (甲野 裕頼, Kōno Yūra; born 18 August 2003), known as YURA is a Japanese kickboxer.
As of April 2026, he was the #10 ranked -67.5kg kickboxer in the world according to Beyond Kickboxing.
Contents
Biography and career
Early career
Yura was born in the city of Miyazaki on the Kyushu island from a japanese father and a russian mother. He started martial arts with Seidokaikan full contact Karate at the age of 7. He switched to kickboxing at the age of 13.
On February 13, 2022, Yura faced Hiroki Nishida at MAJKF KING OF SOUL vol.4. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
RISE
On March 17, 2024, Yura faced Kenta at RISE ELDORADO 2024. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
On October 5, 2024, Yura faced Sota Kimura at RISE Fight Club 2. He won the fight by third round knockout.
Yura faced Taio Asahisa on the 2024 Rizin Fighting Federation new year's eve show at Rizin 49: Decade. He lost the fight by unanimous decision in a bout where both athletes received an eight count.
On March 29, 2025, Yura faced Hiroto Yamaguchi at RISE ELDORADO 2025. He won the fight by first round knockout.
On August 2, 2025, Yura took part in the opening round of the RISE x Glory Last Featherweight Standing Tournament at RISE World Series 2025 Tokyo against Kong Dexiang. He won the fight by first round technical knockout.
Yura was scheduled to face Chadd Collins in the second round of the RISE x Glory Last Featherweight Standing Tournament on November 2, 2025, at RISE World Series 2025 Final. Collins pulled out on injury and Yura qualified to the next round. He faced short notice replacement Sumiya ito in an open finger gloves bout instead. Yura won the fight by first round knockout.
On March 28, 2026, Yura faced Lee Sung-hyun at RISE ELDORADO 2026 as part of the quarterfinals stage of the Glory x RISE Last Featherweight Standing Tournament. He won the fight by technical knockout in the third round.
Titles and accomplishments
Professional
International Kyoken Championship
2021 IKC Welterweight (-70kg) Champion
Martial Arts Kickboxing Federation
2022 MAJKF Japan Cup Welterweight (-67kg) Champion
One successful title defense
Real Kakutou Spirits
2023 RKS Welterweight (-67kg) Champion
Breaking Down
2024 Breaking Down Kick Featherweight Tournament Winner
2024 Breaking Down Best KO
2025 Breaking Down Kick Featherweight Champion
2025 Breaking Down MVP
Amateur
2017 Peter Aerts Spirit All Japan Championship U15 -55kg Runner--up
2018 Peter Aerts Spirit All Japan Championship U15 60kg Winner
2021 K-1 Koshien -65kg Tournament Runner-up
Awards
Beyond Kickboxing
Beyond Kickboxing's 2024 Fight of the Year (vs. Taio Asahisa)