As of January 2023, he is ranked as the tenth best lightweight (-71 kg) kickboxer in the world by both Combat Press and Beyond Kickboxing.[2][3] Combat Press ranked him as a top ten super flyweight (-58 kg) between August 2021 and April 2022,[4][5] as well as a top ten super featherweight (-68 kg) between July and October 2022.[6][7]
Kickboxing career
Lightweight career
Next Generation Cup
Ono made his professional debut against Jun Kitagawa at SHOOT BOXING 2014 act.1 on February 23, 2014, in a lightweight rookie rules bout. He won the fight by a third-round knockout.[8] Ono next faced Takahito Suzuki at SHOOT BOXING 2014 act.2 on April 18, 2014. He forced Suzuki's corner to throw in the towel at the 1:20 minute mark of the third round.[9] Ono made his third professional appearance at SHOOT BOXING 2014 act.3 on June 21, 2014, opposite Tetsuyuki Uemura. He once again forced his opponent's corner to throw in the towel, at the 1:55 minute mark of the opening round.[10]
His perfect 3–0 record earned him a place in the 2014 J-NETWORK Next Generation lightweight (62 kg) tournament, which took place at J-NETWORK J-FIGHT in SHINJUKU~vol.38 on July 27, 2014. In the quarterfinals, he stopped RS YUTAKA with low kicks in the first round.[11] In the semifinals, he met Hideki and won the two round bout by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 19–18 and one scorecard of 20–18. Ono met MASATO in the finals, and won by a majority decision after two rounds. Two of the judges scored the fight 20–19 in his favor, while the third judge scored it an even 20–20.[12]
Shootboxing top contender
Ono faced Kazuki Tamakawa at SHOOT BOXING 2014 act.4 on September 20, 2014. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[13][14] Ono, whose seven victories had earned him the status of Shootboxing's top ranked lightweight contender, was then booked to face the 7–2–1 mixed martial artistTeruto Ishihara at SHOOT BOXING S-cup 65 kg World Tournament 2018 on November 30, 2014.[15] The fight was ruled a majority decision draw after the first three rounds, with one judge scoring the bout 30–29 for Ono. He was awarded the majority decision after an extra fourth round was contested.[16]
Ono faced the fourth-ranked RISE super featherweight contender Koudai Nobe at RISE 103 on January 24, 2015.[17][18] He lost the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 30–29 for Nobe.[19] Ono rebounded from his first professional loss with a unanimous decision victory over TASUKU at SHOOT BOXING 2015~SB 30th Anniversary~ act.1 on February 21, 2015.[20] Ono failed to build on this success however, as he suffered a majority decision loss at the hands of Koji Ikegami at SHOOT BOXING 2015~SB 30th Anniversary~ act.2 on April 18, 2015.[21]
Ono faced the second-ranked Shootboxing lightweight conteder Yuji Sugawara at SHOOT BOXING 2015~SB 30th Anniversary~ act.3 on June 21, 2015. He won the fight by majority decision, with two scorecards of 29–28 and one scorecard of 29–29.[22]
Ono faced the Shooto Pacific Rim Lightweight champion Taiki Tsuchiya at SHOOT BOXING 30th ANNIVERSARY "CAESAR TIME!" on August 22, 2015. The fight was ruled a majority decision draw after the first three rounds were contested, with scores of 27–26, 27–27 and 27–27. He was able to knock Tsuchiya down in the first round with a right straight, but was immediately deducted a point for kicking a downed opponent. Ono was suplexed by Tsuchiya in the second round, which awarded his opponent two shoot points. Ono was awarded the majority decision after an extra fourth round was fought.[23]
Ono faced the future K-1 Super Lightweight championRukiya Anpo at SHOOTBOXING THE LAST BOMB on October 3, 2015. He won the fight by a second-round knockout. He first knocked Anpo down with a left hook, before flooring him with a front kick near the end of the round, which left his opponent unable to beat the eight-count.[24]
Ono faced the former DEEP KICK super lightweight champion Yukimitsu Takahashi at SHOOT BOXING 2016 act.1 on February 13, 2016. Ono departed from Risshi Kaikan prior to this fight and began training at Team F.O.D.[25] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 30–29 in his favor.[26]
Ono faced Hiroaki Oyama at SHOOT BOXING 2016 act.3 on June 5, 2016. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–29, 30–28 and 30–27.[27] Ono faced Kiyoto at SHOOT BOXING 2016 act.4 on September 19, 2016. He stopped his opponent with repeated knee strikes in the final minute of the second round.[28] Ono went overseas for the first time in his career on December 23, 2016, as he was booked to face Zhou Jiankun at Liberty War II. Jiankun was unable to make the agreed upon weight at the official weigh-ins and was replaced by Liu Ya. Ono won the fight by unanimous decision.[29]
Ono faced YUSHI at SHOOT BOXING 2017 act.1 on February 11, 2017. As Ono failed to make weight for the bout, he was deducted 2 points prior to the start of the fight and had to fight in the larger 8 oz gloves, while YUSHI was able to compete in 6 oz gloves which are normally used. Although Ono was able to nonetheless win the fight, the decision victory was immediately overturned to a no contest due to the weight miss.[30][31]
Catchweight bouts
Ono faced the 2016 S-Cup -65 kg World Tournament winner Zakaria Zouggary in a -64 kg catchweight bout at SHOOT BOXING 2017 act.2 on April 8, 2017. He lost the fight by majority decision, with two judges awarding Zouggary a 49–48 scorecard, while the third judge had it scored as an even 48–48 draw.[32]
Ono faced the former two-weight Shootboxing world champion Hiroaki Suzuki in a -63.5 kg catchweight bout at SHOOT BOXING 2017 act.3 on September 16, 2017. He opened a cut on Suzuki's forehead near the end of the opening round, which led to the ringside physician calling the fight off due to the profuse bleeding.[33]
Super lightweight career
Shootboxing champion
Ono faced the DEEP KICK super lightweight champion Yuya in the semifinals of the Shootboxing super lightweight tournament, held to fill the vacant championship, at SHOOT BOXING BATTLE SUMMIT-GROUND ZERO TOKYO 2017 on November 27, 2017.[34] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 30–27 and one scorecard of 30–28. Ono was able to open a cut above Yuya's eye in the second round, but the damage done wasn't sufficient to stop the contest.[35] Ono faced Kenta Yamada in the finals of the one-day tournament. He won the fight by majority decision. Two judges scored the fight 30–29 in his favor, while the third judge scored the bout 29–29.[36][37]
Ono faced Tapruwan Hadesworkout at SHOOT BOXING 2018 act.1 on February 10, 2018. He won the fight by a fourth-round knockout.[38] Ono faced the former RISE Lightweight and REBELS Red Super Lightweight champion Fukashi Mizutani at SHOOT BOXING 2018 act.2 on April 1, 2018. He opened a cut of Fukashi's forehead with an elbow strike in the fourth round, which forced the ringside physician to stop the fight.[39] Ono faced Jaowear Sirilakgym at SHOOT BOXING 2018 act.3 on June 10, 2018. He made quick work of his opponent, as he stopped him with a flurry of punches in the opening round.[40]
Ono made his Rizin debut at Rizin 11 against Yoshiya Uzatsuyo on July 29, 2018. He won the fight by a third-round knockout.[41] Ono next faced Sho Ogawa at Rizin 12 on August 12, 2018. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[42]
His nine fight winning streak was snapped by Chamuaktong Fightermuaythai, who beat him at SHOOT BOXING 2018 act.4 on September 15, 2018. The fight was ruled a split decision after the first five rounds were contested, with two judges awarding a 50–49 scorecard each to Chamuaktong and Kaito, while the third judge had it scored 50–50. Chakmuaktong was given the majority decision after an extension round was fought.[43]
Shootboxing S-Cup
Ono took part in the 2018 Shootboxing World S-Cup, which was contested at super lightweight and took place on November 18, 2018.[44] He made quick work of his quarterfinal opponent Cho Gyeon Jae, as he was able to twice knock him down by the 2:16 minute mark of the opening round, which resulted in an automatic technical knockout victory for him under the Shootboxing tournament rules.[45] Ono faced Kenta Yamada in the tournament semifinals, having beaten him by majority decision a year prior. He was more convincing in the rematch, as he forced a doctor stoppage in the third round.[46] Ono faced UMA in the finals of the one-day tournament. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[47]
Ono faced the former REBELS Black Super Lightweight champion Yōsuke Mizouchi at KING OF KNOCK OUT 2018 on December 9, 2018.[48] He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout.[49] Ono faced the two-weight Lumpinee Stadium champion Pongsiri P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym at SHOOT BOXING 2019 act.1 on February 11, 2019.[50] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding him a 50–46 scorecard.[51] Ono's five fight win-streak was snapped by Chadd Collins at SHOOT BOXING 2019 act.2 on April 27, 2019, who beat him by unanimous decision.[52]
Super welterweight
Catchweight bouts
Ono faced the former It's Showtime lightweight champion in a -69 kg catchweight bout at Shoot Boxing 2019 act.3 on June 23, 2019.[53] He knocked Nakajima down three times inside of a single round to earn the technical knockout victory in the fourth round. Ono first dropped his opponent with a flying knee, which he followed up with a right low kick knockdown, before he finished Nakajima with another flying knee soon after.[54]
Ono faced the RISE Middleweight champion in a -69 kg catchweight bout at Shoot Boxing 2019 act.4 on September 28, 2019.[55] He won the fight by a close unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding him a 49–48 scorecard.[56]
Ono moved down the welterweight (-67.5 kg) to face the reigning RISE Welterweight champion BeyNoah at SHOOT BOXING GROUND ZERO TOKYO 2019 on December 3, 2019.[57] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 49–48 and one scorecard of 50–48.[58]
Ono faced Pinphet Banchamek in a -68 kg catchweight bout at SHOOT BOXING 2020 act.1 on February 15, 2020.[59] Despite coming in as the favorite, Ono lost the fight by majority decision. The bout was ruled a majority decision draw after the first five rounds were contested, with two judges handing in an even 49–49 scorecard, while the third judge scored it 50–48 for Ono. The fight was called a draw two more times, before Pinphet was given the majority decision at the end of the third extension round.[60]
Ono made his return to Rizin at Rizin 23 – Yokohama on August 10, 2020, when he was booked to face Daryl Lokoku in a -73 kg catchweight bout. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 30–28 in his favor.[61]
Move to super welterweight
Ono made his RISE debut against Tsukuru Midorikawa, in what was also his super welterweight (-70 kg) debut, at RISE DEAD or ALIVE Yokohama on October 11, 2020.[62] He won the fight by majority decision, with two judges scoring the bout 30–28 for Ono, while the third judge had it scored as an even 30–30.[63]
Ono faced Makoto Kitamura at Shoot Boxing 2020 act.2 on November 28, 2020.[64] He knocked Kitamura out with a high kick 14 seconds into the third round.[65]
Ono faced the one-time K-1 super welterweight title challenger Mohan Dragon in a -68 kg catchweight bout at Shoot Boxing 2021 act.2 on April 10, 2021. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[69][70]
Ono returned to super welterweight to face Sho Kogane at Shoot Boxing 2021 act.3 on June 20, 2021. He won the fight by unanimous decision, sweeping every round on all three of the judges' scorecards.[71]
Ono faced Chansuk VertexGym at Shoot Boxing 2021 act.4 on September 4, 2021.[72] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 30–29 in his favor.[73]
Ono was booked to face Masashi Nakajima at RISE WORLD SERIES 2021 Osaka on November 14, 2021. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding him a 30-26 scorecard.[74]
Ono faced Joe Fellowgym at SHOOT BOXING 2021 Champion Carnival on December 26, 2021.[75] He twice knocked Joe down with a right hook in the second round, which forced the referee to wave the fight off.[76]
Ono faced Chuchai Hadesworkout in a -71 kg catchweight bout at SHOOT BOXING 2022 act.1 on February 13, 2022. He won the fight by a third-round knockout, stopping Chuchai with a left hook to the body at the 2:21 minute mark of the round.[77]
Ono was booked to rematch BeyNoah in a 71.5 kg catchweight bout at RISE El Dorado 2022 on April 2, 2022.[78] Kaito won the bout by first-round knockout, he landed a left hook that floored his opponent 35 seconds into the fight.[79]
Ono faced the reigning K-1 welterweight championMasaaki Noiri in a -68.5 kg catchweight bout at The Match 2022 on June 19, 2022.[80] Ono won the fight by unanimous decision, after an extra round was contested, following a unanimous decision draw after the first three rounds.[81]
Ono was booked to face Samo Petje at RISE WORLD SERIES 2022 Osaka on August 21, 2022.[82] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[83]
Ono faced Kendal Karakurt at SHOOT BOXING 2022 act.4 on September 17, 2022. He won the fight by unanimous decision, after two extra rounds were contested.[84]
Ono faced the #1 ranked Glory lightweight contender Stoyan Koprivlenski at RISE WORLD SERIES / Glory Rivals 4 on December 25, 2022.[85] He won the fight by split decision, with two judges scoring the bout 30–29 in his favor, while the third judge awarded an identical scorecard to Koprivlenski.[86]
Ono faced Tsukuru Midorikawa at NO KICK NO LIFE on February 11, 2023, in what was Midorikawa's retirement bout.[87] He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout. Ono twice knocked his opponent down, with an elbow in the first round and a left hook in the third round.[88]
Ono was expected to face an undetermined opponent at SHOOT BOXING 2023 act.2 on April 30, 2023. He withdrew from the fight due to an avulsion fracture of the middle phalanx of the left second toe.[91] Ono was rescheduled to face Samo Petje for the vacant SHOOT BOXING World Super Welterweight championship at SHOOT BOXING 2023 act.3 on June 25, 2023. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 50–45 and one scorecard of 50–46.[92]
Ono faced Massaro Glunder at SHOOT BOXING 2023 Series Final on November 14, 2023.[95] He won the fight by a first-round knockout.[96]
Ono was expected to face Mohammed Jaraya in a -72 kg catchweight bout at RISE WORLD SERIES 2023 Final Round on December 16, 2023.[97] Jaraya withdrew from the bout on December 11, 2023, and was replaced by the undefeated James Condé.[98] Ono won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[99]
Ono faced Arman Hambaryan at SHOOT BOXING 2024 act.3 on June 15, 2024.[103] He won the fight by a second-round knockout.[104]
Ono faced Dragomir Petrov at SHOOT BOXING 2024 act.4 on August 17, 2024.[105] He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout, as Petrov was unable to continue competing due to a back injury after being swept.[106]