is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former kickboxer, currently competing in the featherweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation.
As a professional kickboxer, Kubo is the former Krush and K-1 welterweight (-67.5 kg) champion. Kubo was furthermore the 2011 K-1 World MAX Lightweight (-63 kg) Japan Tournament winner, 2013 Krush Welterweight (-67.5 kg) Grand Prix winner, 2013 Glory 65kg Slam Tournament Winner, and the 2017 K-1 World GP Welterweight (-67.5 kg) World Grand Prix Winner.
Combat Press ranked him as a top ten featherweight kickboxer in the world between September 2014 and July 2016, as well as between April and July 2020.
Controversy In September 2016, Kubo was detained and arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on allegations of assault causing bodily harm raised by his then-wife. According to his ex-wife's testimony, she was verbally and physically assaulted by Kubo, who was upset over a failed stock investment. Kubo punched the woman several times in the head, causing eardrum rupture in both of her ears, which left long-term residual effects in one of the ears. After divorcing, the two reached an out-of-court settlement, which obliged Kubo to pay his wife an undisclosed amount in damages, but spared him from being prosecuted by the Public Prosecutors Office.
Kickboxing career Featherweight Early career Yuta Kubo was put practicing taekwondo at age of 8 with his younger brother, Kenji under a Zanichi Korean family friend. He eventually took up kickboxing at the age of 15. Kubo made his professional kickboxing debut on January 22, 2005, against Shinji Aseishi as a featherweight (-57.15 kg) at NJKF "Infinite Challenge I", as a high school student. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 30–27 in his favor.
Kubo fought three more times over the course of the next six months, amassing a perfect 4–0 record, with his final victory over Kozaru at NJKF "Infinite Challenge VII" on July 23, 2005, earning him the #10 spot in the NJKF featherweight rankings. His stoppage wins over the #9 ranked Shōkō on September 24, 2005, and the #5 ranked Yoshiaki Takano on November 20, 2005, as well as his unanimous decision triumph over Shōgo Kokubun on March 6, 2006, earned him the right to face top-ranked Masato Ōkawa in an NJKF featherweight title eliminator, which was held at NJKF "Advance IV" on May 3, 2006. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 50–47, 50–46 and 50–46.
Kubo was expected to face Yoshinari Nakasuka at "Shinou Hai" on July 22, 2006. He was forced to withdraw from the contest on June 17, as he suffered an injury in training and was sidelined for the next two months. Kubo was replaced by Kōji Okuyama, who stepped in on a month's notice.
Kubo faced Nichau Sithaikeriangtor in a super featherweight (-60 kg) bout at the Rajadamnern Stadium on September 10, 2006. He won the fight by a third-round knockout. Kubo next faced Kenpeth Shinongchai in an -84 kg catchweight bout on September 16, 2006. He won the fight by a third-round knockout.
NJKF champion Kubo was expected to challenge the NJKF featherweight champion Nobuhiro Iwai at "NJKF Shinnou Cup Final" on November 23, 2006. Iwai withdrew from the contest on November 1, after suffering an injury in training. Kubo was subsequently promoted to interim champion status.
Kubo was expected to face an unnamed Thai opponent in a -59 kg catchweight bout on the "Thai King's Birthday" event on December 5, 2006. His opponent withdrew on the day of the fight and was replaced by Somdet Por.Pantie, with the contest being upgraded to a -90 kg catchweight bout as a result. Kubo won the fight by a fourth-round knockout.
Kubo faced the WMC Hong Kong Super Featherweight champion Daniel in a -58.5 kg catchweight bout at NJKF "Fighting Evolution II -Muay Thai Open-" on January 28, 2007. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with three scorecards of 49–45. Kubo was able to knock his opponent down once, with a left hook, in the second round.
Kubo faced Nobuhiro Iwai for the undisputed NJKF featherweight championship at NJKF "Fighting Evolution III -3 Kings Champion Carnival-" on March 18, 2007. The pair was originally scheduled to face each other on November 23, before Iwai withdrew with an injury and was therefore stripped of the title, although he was ranked as the #1 contender for the vacant title. Kubo won the fight by a second-round technical knockout. The bout was stopped by the referee, on the advice of the ringside physician, due to a cut on Iwai's forehead. Following this victory, Kubo was ranked as the second-best featherweight in the WBC Muaythai Japan rankings, only behind Genki Yamamoto.
Kubo faced Farkamwang SKV Gym at NJKF "Fighting Evolution VI" on May 13, 2007, in a WINDY CUP sponsored fight, who offered the winner an additional prize of ฿100,000 (~¥360,000). He won the fight by majority decision, with scores of 50–49, 50–50 and 50–48.
Super featherweight Kubo faced Chaichana Patong Gym for the WPMO World Super featherweight (-60 kg) championship at "World Muay Thai Federation Championship" on July 3, 2007. He won the fight by a fifth-round knockout. Kubo next faced Soug-Uk Lee at NJKF "Fighting Evolution VIII -The Next Generation-" on September 2, 2007. He won the fight by a third-round knockout.
Kubo's 16-fight undefeated streak was snapped by Nuang Solia, who was able to overcome the Japanese fighter by unanimous decision at a "Removing Land Mines" charity event, held on November 21, 2007. Kubo was then booked to face Shunta Ito at NJKF "Start Of New Legend" on January 27, 2008. Ito won the fight by unanimous decision. Kubo suffered the first knockdown of his professional career during this fight, as his opponent dropped him with a left hook in the fourth round.
Kubo challenged the WMAF World Super featherweight champion Takashi "TURBO" Nagatsuka at MAJKF "Break Through - 3" on April 29, 2008. The fight was ruled a split decision draw, with one 49–48 scorecard for Kubo and Nagatsuka respectively, as well as one even 49–49 scorecard.
Kubo was expected to face Rashata at "NJKF Start of a New Legend IX" on July 27, 2008, but was forced to withdraw after being diagnosed with bladder stones.
Lightweight Early Krush fights Kubo faced Yosuke Mizuochi in the reserve bout of the 2009 Krush Lightweight Grand Prix, held on November 2, 2009. He won the fight by majority decision. As the one of tournament finalists, Naoki Ishikawa, was forced to drop out of the contest due to a cut on his left eyelid, Kubo stepped in to face Masahiro Yamamoto in the Grand Prix finals. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Kubo faced Tsuyoshi at M&J Presents Survivor Round.2 on December 9, 2009. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–28, 29–28 and 30–28. Kubo next faced Junpei Aotsu at Krush × Survivor on March 13, 2010. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–28, 30–29 and 30–28.
2010 K-1 MAX Japan Tournament Kubo faced "DJ" Taiki Hata in the round of 16 of the 2010 K-1 Japan MAX Lightweight (-62.5 kg) tournament, held on May 2, 2010, to determine the eight fighters that would take part in the one-day final tournament on July 5, 2010. He won the fight by a dominant unanimous decision, with all three ringside officials awarding him a 30–27 scorecard. Kubo faced Keiji Ozaki in the quarterfinals of the 2010 K-1 MAX tournament on July 5. He triumphed over the veteran by unanimous decision, with three scorecards of 30–29. Kubo faced Yoshimichi Matsumoto in the semifinals and was able to make quick work of his opponent, stopping him with a question mark kick 81 seconds into the opening round. Kubo faced the WBC Muaythai Japan lightweight champion Tetsuya Yamato in the tournament finals. In spite of his early success, which saw him knock Yamato down with a left straight in the very first round of the contest, he was nonetheless knocked out by Yamato at the 1:26 minute mark of the final round.
2011 K-1 MAX Japan Tournament After suffering a career-first stoppage loss at the hands of Tetsuya Yamato, Kubo was booked to face Hiroya at K-1 World MAX 2010 -70kg World Championship Tournament Final on November 8, 2010. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Kubo next faced Densiam Lukprabaht at Survivor -Round.7- on May 27, 2011. He won the fight by a third-round knockout.
These two victories earned Kubo a place in the K-1 World MAX 2011 –63 kg Japan Tournament Final, which was held on June 25, 2011. Kubo faced Kizaemon Saiga in the quarterfinals of the one-day tournament and was able to overcome him by a narrow majority decision, with scores of 30–29, 30–30 and 30–29. Advancing to the semifinals, he faced the 2009 K-1 Koshien winner Masaaki Noiri. Kubo won the fight by a more convincing unanimous decision, with three scorecards of 30–29 in his favor. Kubo then faced Koya Urabe in the finals of the one-day tournament. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–28, 30–29 and 30–28. During a post-fight interview, Kubo stated he intended to retire had he not won the tournament, having said as much to his sponsors before the event took place.
Kubo faced Andre Brul at K-1 World MAX 2011 -70kg Japan Tournament Final on September 25, 2011, in what was his final appearance at lightweight. He won the fight by a wide unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 30–24 and one scorecard of 30–25. Kubo was able to knock Brul down twice in the opening round, with a middle kick and a knee to the body, as well as once in the second round, with a crescent kick.
Welterweight Move up in weight Kubo faced Tristan Benard in a -64 kg catchweight bout at Krush 13 on November 12, 2011. He won the fight by a third-round knockout. Kubo faced Nils Widlund in another -64 kg catchweight bout at Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 on December 31, 2011. He won the fight by a third-round knockout, flooring Widlung with a high kick at the 1:10 minute mark of the round.
On February 17, 2012, at Krush 16, Kubo defeated Charles François via second-round knockout to win the vacant ISKA World Light-Welterweight (64.5 kg) Championship in Tokyo, Japan.
On June 8, 2012, At Krush 18 in Tokyo, Japan, Yuta faced Abdellah Ezbiri. Despite his aggressive style Ezbiri seemed gun shy in the 1st round giving it to his opponent. Yuta dropped Ezbiri twice in the second, the 1st time with a right hook, the second with a spinning back fist but got up both times showing extreme toughness and heart and stayed on his feet in the 3rd even though Kubo is known for finishing his opponents quickly when he smells blood. Yuta Kubo won the fight by unanimous decision.
Kubo faced Yuya Yamato at Krush.22 on August 26, 2012. He won the fight by a second-round knockout.
He was expected to make his middleweight (-70 kg) debut at Glory 4: Tokyo - 2012 Heavyweight Grand Slam on December 2, 2012, against an unnamed opponent, but it fell through after the event was moved back to December 31 and combined with Dream 18.
Krush Welterweight Grand Prix