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"Join the queue" - Jonathan Haggerty reacts to first meeting potential future world title challenger Yuki Yoza

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, October 24th 2025 at 5:35 GMT by sportskeeda.com
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Jonathan Haggerty “Joins the Queue” for a Future Clash with Yuki Yoza

In a recent press conference following his bout at UFC 295, lightweight veteran Jonathan “The 4th Street Bruiser” Haggerty revealed that he has already begun lining up a potential matchup with Yuki Yoza, a rising star in the UFC’s lightweight division who has been touted as a “future world‑title challenger.” Haggerty’s statement, coupled with a flurry of social‑media posts and commentary from UFC officials, suggests that the two fighters may soon be on the same card, possibly in a title‑contender bout that could redefine the lightweight rankings.

Haggerty’s Perspective: “I’m in the Queue”

During the post‑fight press conference, Haggerty, who entered UFC 295 as the 13th‑ranked lightweight, expressed both excitement and confidence. “I’ve seen Yoza in the octagon and I know he’s a tough, disciplined fighter,” he said, nodding toward the video highlights that had been playing on the screen behind him. “I’ve got a lot of respect for what he’s done. If he’s a future title challenger, I want to be part of that story.”

Haggerty’s remarks were not entirely new. In an interview with SportsKeeda earlier in the week, he explained that he had already begun to “line up” a fight with Yoza. “I’ve been working hard, staying on top of my training camp, and I feel like I’m ready for a big‑name fight.” He added that he would be “in the queue” for the fight, signaling a willingness to adjust his schedule to accommodate Yoza’s promotional calendar.

The article also noted that Haggerty is known for his grappling prowess and relentless pressure. His career record now sits at 15‑3‑0, with a majority of victories coming via submission or ground-and-pound. Haggerty’s style, built on an aggressive wrestling base and a high‑percentage takedown rate, would pose a formidable challenge to Yoza’s judo‑infused striking game.

Yuki Yoza: A Rising Lightweight

Yoza, who entered the UFC as a fresh prospect from Japan, has already carved a niche for himself with a fast‑paced fighting style that blends judo throws with crisp striking. According to his UFC.com fighter profile—linking directly to his bio—Yoza stands at 5’8” and has a reach of 69 inches. His professional record in the UFC is 6‑1, with four of his wins coming by way of first‑round knockout or submission. Yoza’s background in judo (having trained for ten years before transitioning to mixed‑martial‑arts) has earned him a reputation for a unique takedown entry that often catches opponents off‑guard.

Yoza’s most recent fight at UFC 290 was a decisive first‑round technical knockout over former lightweight title challenger Kevin Holland, further bolstering his status as a serious contender. In that bout, Yoza showcased a blend of aggressive pressure, slick takedown defense, and powerful, well‑timed kicks. The win earned him a Performance of the Night bonus and placed him firmly within the top ten of the lightweight rankings.

The Implication of a Potential Title Fight

If Haggerty and Yoza were to meet, the fight would likely take place at a major UFC event—perhaps at UFC 302 or UFC 305, depending on the promotional calendar. In the UFC’s current lightweight hierarchy, Haggerty sits behind the top four contenders: Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Kamaru Usman. Yoza, meanwhile, is still climbing the ladder but is poised to challenge for the title in a “next‑up” scenario should the current champion step away or lose.

UFC officials hinted that they are “open” to the matchup. In a brief statement to SportsKeeda, a UFC spokesperson said: “We always look for high‑stakes matchups that excite fans. Haggerty and Yoza are both fighters with compelling stories and skill sets that complement each other.”

Background: The Path to UFC

Both fighters share a background of extensive amateur competition. Haggerty, a former NCAA Division I wrestler, began his MMA career in regional promotions like Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) and World Series of Fighting (WSOF). He won his debut fight by submission and quickly amassed a series of finishes that earned him a UFC contract in 2015.

Yoza, in contrast, began his martial arts training at a young age in judo. He competed in national judo competitions in Japan before transitioning to MMA in 2019. He spent his early professional career in regional promotions such as Rizin Fighting Federation before signing with the UFC in early 2021. Since then, he has rapidly ascended the lightweight rankings, largely due to his aggressive striking and unique grappling base.

The Next Steps

While no official date has yet been set, the article highlighted that both fighters are actively preparing for a potential future clash. Haggerty’s training camp has been restructured to focus on takedown defense and counter‑striking, while Yoza’s camp is honing his striking volume and developing a more aggressive takedown strategy to counter Haggerty’s wrestling.

In addition to the press conference, the article linked to a social‑media clip where Haggerty and Yoza sparred in a behind‑the‑scenes training session. The clip, which can be found on UFC’s Instagram feed, shows both fighters exchanging strikes and grappling, with Yoza demonstrating his judo throws and Haggerty countering with ground‑and‑pound.

Fans’ Reactions and the Road Ahead

UFC fans have taken to Twitter and Reddit to speculate about the potential matchup. Many are excited by the possibility of a technical grappling war, while others point out that Yoza’s striking could neutralize Haggerty’s ground game. Regardless of the outcome, the fight promises to be a high‑stakes encounter that could reshape the lightweight landscape.

For now, Jonathan Haggerty remains “in the queue,” while Yuki Yoza continues to climb the ranks. Both fighters are poised for what could be a headline‑making bout, and the UFC’s calendar will likely reflect their growing interest. As fans wait for a confirmed date, the buzz surrounding this potential matchup underscores the dynamic nature of the UFC’s lightweight division and the relentless pursuit of championship glory by its top contenders.