A new ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion will emerge on Sunday, March 23, during the highly anticipated ONE 172 event. This thrilling rematch between Adriano Moraes and Yuya Wakamatsu, the top two contenders, is a follow-up to their previous face-off at ONE X in 2022.
Since Demetrious Johnson hung up his gloves, the flyweight division has seen a lot of changes. Moraes and Wakamatsu, by racking up impressive wins, have clearly moved to the forefront. Wakamatsu, known as “Little Piranha,” has his sights set on finally capturing the title he’s been chasing.
Reflecting on the ONE X match, Wakamatsu admits, “Back then, I was a bit immature and let the moment get the better of me. I felt confident but wasn’t yet the complete fighter I wanted to be. My biggest hurdle was myself—overcoming my own limitations.”
Over the past three years, Wakamatsu has clearly grown as a competitor. With three straight victories under his belt, he’s now the #2 contender in the flyweight class. Yet, he insists that his most significant progress has been mental.
“The big difference between then and now is I’ve started to understand the real purpose of fighting and life itself,” he explained. “It’s not just about physical strength but conquering personal weaknesses. Every day for the past three years, I’ve focused on this. My true opponent isn’t the person standing in front of me—it’s the older version of myself.”
Wakamatsu is keen to deliver a memorable performance at ONE 172, an event that promises to be one of the year’s highlights. He’s especially eager to compete on such a grand stage in Japan, hoping to give fans a night they won’t forget.
He expressed, “Fighting for a World Title in Japan is a huge milestone for me in my journey with ONE. This is an incredible opportunity for which I’m truly grateful. They’ve laid the perfect stage for me to shine.”
The Japanese fighter feels equipped to deny the multiple-time champion, Moraes, another taste of gold. Regardless of the outcome, Wakamatsu vows to put on a thrilling fight, ensuring fans get their money’s worth. “I am very confident this time,” he asserts. “Whatever the result, it’s going to be an electric fight.”
Be sure to catch all the action of ONE 172 live on Sunday, March 23, at 3 a.m. ET/midnight PT. The showdown takes place at Japan’s iconic Saitama Super Arena and will be available globally via pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com.
