Yuya Wakamatsu sent Japan's Saitama Super Arena into a frenzy this past weekend when he captured the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship at ONE 172, and the huge win was the culmination of a long mental journey for the hometown hero.
Wakamatsu, who previously held the #2-ranked contender position, scored a first-round TKO over former divisional kingpin Adriano Moraes in their pivotal rematch at the Sunday, 23rd March, event, all while showcasing a whole new version of himself.
The road to glory began with a devastating defeat to Moraes in their first meeting at ONE X in 2022. Wakamatsu had to dig deep to put the third-round submission loss behind him, and he worked day in and day out to regain his self-belief and silence the doubt in his head.
"I was just focusing and facing that to win myself from the [fight] three years ago. I believe, I think that three years ago, I was not strong enough," Wakamatsu reflected.
"And I always think, and always say to myself that the enemy is in yourself, not the opponent. So, I was just facing myself for the past three years, and that's the reason."
"Little Piranha" is a product of the legendary Japanese spirit of Bushido, which taught him discipline, commitment, and honour for his craft.
That same samurai code followed by Wakamatsu is also admired by ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, and he was blown away by the newly minted World Champion's performance at the organization's triumphant return to Japan.
When reflecting on the efficiency and dominance of his win and factoring in Moraes' legendary tenure in ONE, Sityodtong wasn't shy in placing Wakamatsu at the top of the flyweight MMA food chain anywhere in the world.
"It just shows you the Bushido spirit, the Budo spirit of Japan, and Yuya Wakamatsu," the lifelong martial artist stated.
"I can tell you, he is the greatest flyweight on the planet now. He did to Adriano what DJ [MMA Goat Demetrious Johnson] couldn't even do: finish him off in a couple minutes in the first round."
