"Strong and Cute Chun-Li" Mona Kimura, set to compete in "K-1 GENKI 2026" on Saturday, April 11: "I want to take my fights to the world! This is the Mona World Strategy."

Mona Kimura (Japan/K-1 Gym Meguro TEAM TIGER: IG https://www.instagram.com/mona_world412/) gave an interview ahead of her match against Choi Eun-ji (South Korea/Daegu FEARLESS GYM) in the [K-1 Women's Flyweight / 3 min 3 rounds, 1 round extension] at 'K-1 GENKI 2026' (Tokyo, National Yoyogi Stadium Second Gymnasium) to be held on Saturday, April 11.

――How was the press conference after a long time?

"Uh, I was nervous."
――You didn't seem nervous.

"Even though it's been a while, it felt like the first time. K-1 press conferences are completely different from Krush."
――Indeed, that's true. Your outfit and hairstyle were eccentric and good.

"Actually, I was planning to wear my usual denim clothes. But there were various opinions, so I changed my hairstyle to something different."

――It was very lovely. By the way, your confident remarks stood out at the conference, didn't they?

"Oh, really?"
――Yes.

"What did I say again?"
――You said to K-1 champion SAHO, "Her skill is out of the question; I'll make her a resident of Mona World and defeat her."
"I do think she's strong, though."
――Strong?

"Yes. But her style is different from mine."
――Certainly, they are completely different.

"It's not like I'm thinking, 'Wow, amazing!' But she is strong. After all, she applies that much pressure and comes forward. She really comes forward. But that's all she does, isn't it?"
――Just coming forward?

"I dislike that style. Or rather, I don't do it."
――I see.

"So, I don't think it's amazing in that regard. I mean, anyone can just move forward, right?"
――That's a common exchange seen in women's matches.

"That's because anyone can do it. But fighting using your head is something not everyone can do. Fighting in a way anyone can do and being a champion... well, that's all it is."
――Hmm, you make quite harsh comments with a smile (laughs). Coming forward seems quite scary, though.

"It's because of a lack of technique. Because they lack technique, they have to close the distance."
――A style of closing the distance to nullify the opponent's strengths, right?

"Right? I won't just nullify her; I'll completely shut her out with technique."
――I feel like no one can break through those consecutive front kicks of yours.

"Ordinary fighters would probably flinch if they took those front kicks, but I wonder how she'll be. Her spirit is very strong, and that's why she's winning, so it's about what kind of reaction she'll have when she takes a front kick."

Previous match: vs Satoko Ozawa, Friday, June 27, 2025, Krush.177

――That's exciting. Since you're so strong, I accidentally started thinking about a matchup with SAHO, but your opponent this time is Choi Eun-ji from South Korea. She has fought former Krush champion Noriko Ikeuchi; what's your impression of her?

"She fought on the same card as my Krush debut. She's kind of a slow-and-steady type, right? She was tough and didn't go down. It only ended like that because Ikeuchi landed a knee strike. I wonder how it would have been without that. But I don't feel like she's the type to come at you super hard."
――Do you have the image that she won't even be able to get within your range?

"I feel like she'll never be able to get in."
――Into your distance?

"I mean, I don't even know how she'd get in (laughs)."
――By the way, Ikeuchi is also fighting in this same event. Are you interested?

"I mean, she's just an ordinary person now."
――An ordinary person... She's a former champion.

"She's not a champion anymore, just an ordinary person. She's the one who lost to Sophia (Tsolakidou), who lost to SAHO, right? I'm not interested at all."
――What if Ikeuchi says something to you?

"I won't think anything of it."
――Nothing?

"She hasn't gone viral. She doesn't have a belt. She's losing. She's just an ordinary person."
――Hearing you say that makes me want to see it, though.

"I think our levels are just too different."
――How do you position this match for yourself? Is it a stepping stone to the championship?

"I'm not really thinking about anything in particular. I don't have a strong obsession with the championship or anything like that. Of course, I want to get the belt. But I'm not at that level. What I'm looking at is the world in a broad sense. The scale of how I view the world is different."
――So you're looking beyond just the world title.

"I want the belt to make a name for myself in the world. But I'm thinking about how to broadcast Mona Kimura to the world. Recently, K-1 has been looking at the world, right? I feel the same way. It's the 'Mona World Strategy'."
――Mona World Strategy!

"I mean, the reality is that I'm standing out more than the champion. So, people overseas don't really care whether I'm the champion or not. They probably aren't that interested in the opponent this time either."
――They want you to show them more of "Mona World"!

"Yes! That's it."
――Your match videos have been going viral again recently.

"The video that went viral recently was from a match a year ago. The fact that an old match video goes viral when newly uploaded means that, in the end, everything is hitting home. I feel like I'm being sought after."
――The world is seeking you.

"I recently started a YouTube channel, so I'm happy about that. But on the other hand, if I don't fight and get results, no matter how much I go viral on SNS, I'll just be an influencer. I want to show what I can do properly in the ring."
――It's been decided that this event will also be broadcast worldwide.

"I think that's great. Because, like, fans from all over the world tell me all the time. They say they can't see Mona's matches. They want to see more. So I'm happy. I want my matches to be broadcast overseas more!"

＜Recent Status of Both Fighters＞

[K-1 Women's Flyweight / 3 min 3 rounds, 1 round extension]
Mona Kimura (Japan/K-1 Gym Meguro TEAM TIGER)
vs
Choi Eun-ji (South Korea/Daegu FEARLESS GYM)

Kimura has a track record in Karate and women's boxing and made her Krush debut in November 2024. In June 2025, she defeated Satoko Ozawa by TKO, bringing her record to 3 wins and 0 losses. Her style involves piercing the body and face with consecutive kicks called "Mona Front Kicks" and finishing with powerful punches. Known as the "Strong and Cute Chun-Li," her match videos have gone viral, attracting attention even overseas.

On the other hand, Eun-ji is the MAX FC Women's Bantamweight Champion from South Korea, with MMA experience in DEEP JEWELS and Shooto. She faced Noriko Ikeuchi in November 2024 and has a tough side, staying on her feet until the end even after taking punches.

Mona Kimura Profile

Record:

3 matches, 3 wins (2 KOs), 0 losses, 0 draws

Titles:

Participated in the 2022 Women's World Boxing Championships
Runner-up in the 20th All Japan Boxing Championships, Women's Bantamweight
Participated in the 2019 Boxing Asian Youth Championships
Winner of the 17th and 18th All Japan Women's Boxing Championships, Women's Junior Featherweight
Winner of the 30th National High School Boxing Selection Tournament, Women's Lightweight (Received Outstanding Athlete Award)
7 consecutive victories in the 3rd to 9th JKJO All Japan Junior Karate Championships
Affiliation/Gym:

K-1 Gym Meguro TEAM TIGER

Date of Birth:

April 12, 2001 (24 years old)

Height/Weight:

166cm / 52.0kg

Hometown:

Mizuho City, Gifu Prefecture

Nationality:

Japan

Fight Style:

Southpaw

Entrance Theme:

Avril Lavigne / Bad Reputation

X:@mona_world412
instagram:@mona_world412

K-1 GENKI 2026 - Saturday, April 11, 2026

Event HP:https://www.k-1.co.jp/schedule/16666

Event Information

Date

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Venue

Yoyogi Stadium Second Gymnasium

Event Time Overview

To be determined

Event Overview

Organizer/Support

◆Organizer/Copyright: K-1 Executive Committee
◆Planning/Production: M-1 Sports Media Co., Ltd.
◆Support: Shibuya Ward
◆Operation: Good Loser Co., Ltd.

Ticket Information

Ticket Release Date
◆General Sale
~April 8 (Wednesday) 23:59
◆Inquiries https://www.k-1.co.jp/contact/
Good Loser Co., Ltd. tel. 03-6450-5470
Ticket Prices Royal Seat 70,000 yen (70,500 yen on the day)
Arena SRS Seat 50,000 yen (50,500 yen on the day)
Arena RS Seat 30,000 yen (30,500 yen on the day)
Arena S Seat 15,000 yen (15,500 yen on the day)
Stand S Seat 15,000 yen (15,500 yen on the day)
Stand A Seat 10,000 yen (10,500 yen on the day)
Stand B Seat 7,000 yen (7,500 yen on the day)
Elementary/Junior High School Student Seat (Unreserved) Free
*Elementary and junior high school students can enter for free (limited quantity)

→[Apply here! https://k-1.shop/products/20260411k1 ]
*Tax included/All seats reserved (*some unreserved seats available)/Tickets required from elementary school age.
*Same-day tickets will be +500 yen. Please check the website for details.
*Tax included/All seats reserved (*some unreserved seats available)/Tickets required from elementary school age.
*Same-day tickets will be +500 yen.

Ticket Sales Locations

Ticket Pia https://t.pia.jp/
eplus https://eplus.jp/k-1/, FamilyMart in-store multi-copy machines
Lawson Ticket https://l-tike.com/
"K-1.CLUB" https://fan.pia.jp/K-1/
Good Loser Co., Ltd. tel. 03-6450-5470 (Phone reservations)
◆Tickets for international visitors are available through the link below.
https://eplus.tickets/en/sf/ibt/detail/0157880001?P6=i00&P1=0402&P59=1

Event Commentary Members:

Masato (K-1 WORLD MAX 2003・2008 World Champion), Yoshihiro Sato (Former K-1 MAX Japan Champion), Yuki Hirako of comedy duo Alco & Peace, Yuchami (K-1 Official Support Gal), Yasuyo Saito (K-1 Official Venus), Nobuaki Kakuda (Seidokaikan Supreme Advisor)

■ABEMA 'K-1 GENKI 2026' Broadcast Overview

Broadcast Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026, 11:00~19:30

Channel: ABEMA Fighting Channel

Viewing URL: https://abema.tv/channels/fighting-sports/slots/CYdyPWahRMHdCs

■Overseas Distribution Overview

Distribution Page: https://www.abema-global.com/lives/ewrN8XkrFSzVbUoEj7Xmxj

Distribution Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026 (Japan time)

Commentary: Ray Sefo, Michael Schiavello (Language: English)

【Distribution Countries/Price】 https://www.k-1.co.jp/k-1wgp/news/41295