Ryu Hanaoka (Japanese: 花岡 竜, Hanaoka Ryu, born November 30, 2003) is a Japanese kickboxer. A professional competitor since 2019, Hanaoka is the first and inaugural KNOCK OUT Black Super Flyweight champion.
As of August 2023, he is the #3 ranked strawweight kickboxer in the world according to Combat Press.[2] Hanaoka first entered the divisional rankings in July 2022.[3]
Biography and career
Early career
Professional career beginnings
After an amateur career of over 150 fights during which he amassed 28 titles, Hanaoka was scheduled to make his professional debut on May 19, 2019, against Korean fighter An Jong-Ho at the Japan Kickboxing Innovation "Join Forces 13" event.[4] He won by technical knockout in the second round.[5]
On November 1, 2019, Hanaoka made his debut for the KNOCK OUT promotion, he faced Hitoshi Sato at the KNOCK OUT 2019 BREAKING DAWN event. He won by unanimous decision.[6]
Innovation flyweight champion
On August 23, 2020, Hanaoka won his first professional title when he defeated Daiya Oshikawa by unanimous decision after five rounds at Japan Kickboxing Innovation Join Forces 16 for the Flyweight title.[7]
Hanaoka saw his winning streak broken on October 29, 2020, at the NO KICK NO LIFE "New Chapter" event when he faced HIROYUKI in a three-round fight that ended in a split draw.[8]
Hanaoka faced Rising Chikara at Japan Kickboxing Innovation Champions Carnival 2020 on December 27, 2020.[9] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 50–47, 50–46 and 49–46.[10]
Hanaoka suffered his first professional loss on February 24, 2021, against Shimon Yoshinari at a NO KICK NO LIFE event where he was defeated by majority decision after five rounds.[11]
After suffering his first professional loss, Hanaoka was booked to face Kiminori Matsuzaki at KNOCK OUT 2021 vol.2 on May 22, 2021.[12] He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout, as the fight was stopped on the advice of the ringside physician due to a cut suffered by Matsuzaki.[13]
Hanaoka was next booked to face the former Lumpinee Stadium champion Visanlek Meibukai at NO KICK NO LIFE Shin Shou Yuigadokuson on July 22, 2021.[14] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 30–28 in his favor.[15]
Innovation and Knock Out flyweight champion
On September 25, 2021, Hanaoka participated in the KNOCK OUT Black Flyweight Championship tournament, held to crown the inaugural flyweight champion. In the semi-final he defeated Kuryu by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–29, 30–29 and 29–28.[16] In the final he defeated Takumi Hamada by unanimous decision to capture his first K-1 rules kickboxing title.[17]
Hanaoka faced Ryuto Oinuma at KNOCK OUT 2021 vol.6 on November 28, 2021.[18] He won the fight by a first-round knockout, stopping Oinuma with a left hook to the body at the 2:24 minute mark of the opening round.
On January 9, 2022, Hanaoka faced his most notable opponent yet when matched with reigning Battle of MuayThai and WPMF World champion Issei Ishii at a NO KICK NO LIFE event. He created the surprise and won by unanimous decision after five rounds.[19]
On March 13, 2022, Hanaoka took part in the Japan Kickboxing Innovation Zaimax one night open finger gloves 4-man tournament. In the semi-final he defeated HIROYUKI by unanimous decision after scoring a knockdown with a body shot in the second round. In the final he defeated Yu Hiramatsu by first-round knockout with a straight punch to the body to win the tournament and the 300,000 yen cash prize.[20]
Hanaoka was scheduled to face Phetsongchai Songnintai on April 27, 2022, at the Chakuriki 15 event.[21] He won the fight by knockout, scoring three knockdowns in the first round.[22]
RISE
Hanaoka made his promotional debut with RISE against Koudai Hirayama at RISE 159 on June 24, 2022.[23][24] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding him a 30–29 scorecard.[25]
On July 28, 2022, Hashimoto Dojo revealed that Hanaoka had vacated the KNOCK OUT Black Super Flyweight title.[26] On the same day, at a separate press conference held by RISE, it was announced that Hanaoka would face the second ranked RISE super flyweight contender Jin Mandokoro at RISE 161 on August 28, 2022.[27] He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout. The fight was stopped 21 seconds into the round, due to a cut on Mandokoro's eyelid.[28]
Hanaoka faced the #12 ranked Tsubasa at RISE World Series 2022 on October 15, 2022. He was dismissive of his opponent during the pre-fight press conference, stating: "I want to show there's a difference between top ranked and bottom ranked fighters".[29] Hanaoka lost the fight by an upset technical decision, with all three judges scoring it 20–19 for Tsubasa. The bout was stopped four seconds before the second round expired, due to an accidental clash of heads which left a cut above Tsubasa's right eye.[30]
Hanaoka took part in a NO KICK NO LIFE bantamweight tournament, the quarterfinals of which were held on February 11, 2023.[31] He overcame Sanchai TeppenGym by split decision in the quarterfinals and advanced to the semifinals, which were held on May 21, 2023, where he faced Koki Yamada.[32] Hanaoka won the fight by a flying knee stoppage midway through the opening round and faced HIROYUKI in the tournament finals, which were held on the same night. He captured the bantamweight title, as well as the ¥1 million in prize money, by unanimous decision. Two of the judges scored the fight 50–47 in his favor, while the third ringside official scored the fight 49–48 for Hanaoka.[33]
Hanaoka faced the one-time ISKA Oriental rules World Flyweight title challenger Nicolas Rivas in a -54 kg catchweight bout at RISE World Series 2023 - 2nd Round on August 26, 2023.[34] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 30–27 in his favor.[35]
Hanaoka faced the one-time RISE Bantamweight title challenger Jin Mandokoro in the semifinals of the 2023 RISE Bantamweight New Warriors tournament, which took place at RISE 173 on November 18, 2023.[36] He lost the fight by a first-round knockout.[37]
