Watch Kanata Ueno deliver brutal spinning wheel kick knockout directly after glove touch at K-1 event [Video]

Kanata Ueno delivered a highlight-reel knockout, but it may result in some judgement by the combat sports community.

At Friday’s K-1 World Grand Prix in Tokyo event, Ueno faced Sakuya Ueda in a super featherweight contest. As the second round of the bout began, Ueda went for a glove touch, which Ueno obliged. But the literal moment the show of respect concluded, Ueno knocked his opponent out viciously with a spinning wheel kick.

Check out the brutal finish below.

The slo-mo replay from the side angle looks like the glove touch may have been missed, setting up the finishing blow, but it’s tough to tell if it’s a fair, or foul shot. The 18-year-old Ueno improved to 3-0 in 2024, with all three bouts taking place under the K-1 banner. Ueno earned a first-round knockout victory in September, and a second-round flying knee stoppage win in July.