It’s been three years since former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Adriano Moraes went to battle with #2-ranked contender Yuya Wakamatsu, but the Brazilian legend aims to repeat the same result when they rematch later this month.
The duo will run it back for the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang on Sunday, 23rd March, inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena, and many think it could steal the show inside the iconic venue.
When they first met at ONE X in March 2022, Moraes successfully defended the divisional crown against the Japanese star via a third-round guillotine choke. He intends to dominate proceedings again this time, and doing it in such fabled surroundings will be truly special.
“This fight is going to be the same result because I’m going to fight even better than our last fight, and I will be submitting him again, for sure,” Moraes said.
“It’s going to be, for me, for my fans, for my family, for everybody, it’s going to be amazing. For my career, it’s going to be a legendary win for sure, especially in Saitama Super Arena. It’s going to be like a dream come true.”
Moraes’ incredible 17-bout tenure in ONE Championship has seen him compete in Singapore, China, and the Philippines, to name a few, and defend the flyweight MMA crown against world-class opposition like Demetrious Johnson, Geje Eustaquio, and Wakamatsu.
ONE 172 will see “Mikinho” fighting in Japan for the first time, which works perfectly for him, as he wants to reclaim the gold and dash Wakamatsu’s hopes in his backyard.
“I love to go to my opponent’s home and destroy their dreams. I don’t know why, but I feel like this kind of emotion gives me more pleasure,” Moraes said.
“I’m excited to fight in front of the Japanese fans because the Japanese fans are some of the best in the world every time. When I watch some Japanese events and stuff, I see how the fans go to the stadium and celebrate with their favorite fighters. And Saitama Super Arena is a special arena, and I’m blessed to have this opportunity.”
