‘The Best Moment Of My Life’ — Yuya Wakamatsu’s World Championship Dream Inspires New Chapter For Flyweight MMA Division
ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu fought through years of pain and doubt to capture mixed martial arts’ ultimate prize. Now, protecting it means even more to him than ever before.
On Sunday, November 16, Wakamatsu will defend that hard-earned gold when he faces strawweight MMA king Joshua “The Passion” Pacio at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside the state-of-the-art Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
For the proud Japanese warrior, keeping the belt he spent his entire life pursuing defines his purpose.
That dream first became reality at ONE 172 in March, in front of his devoted Japanese fans at Saitama Super Arena. Showcasing the Bushido spirit, the 30-year-old veteran delivered a stunning first-round TKO of former multi-time ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes to capture the vacant crown and cement his place among the sport’s elite.
Wakamatsu’s path to gold was anything but easy. He faced the division’s fiercest competition, including now-retired American legend Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and Moraes himself at ONE X in 2022.
That first meeting with “Mikinho” ended in defeat, but the pride of Kagoshima refused to let that setback define him. He sharpened his skills, defeated top contenders, and earned another shot at glory.
When the rematch arrived, “Little Piranha” seized it. His career-defining performance sent shockwaves through the flyweight landscape and validated years of sacrifice:
“At the March event, everything just came together. I was at my peak, and I captured the title at that moment. It was truly the best moment of my life.
“The biggest change is that I now carry the title of champion. I’ve also gained confidence. One of my dreams came true, and it feels like I’ve started a new chapter.”
As the undisputed ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion, Wakamatsu carries immense responsibility. He represents one of MMA’s most dangerous divisions – a murderer’s row where former World Champions and hungry contenders can seize gold at any moment.
The Tribe Tokyo MMA affiliate approaches every fight with an all-or-nothing mentality:
“I want to prove ONE’s flyweight [division] is the best in the world. That’s why I absolutely cannot lose. For me, losing basically equals death. I’ll fight as if it’s my last.
“I want to inspire fans with courage and hope. I want to put my entire way of life into those 25 minutes.”
Beyond defending his throne, however, Wakamatsu has embraced a larger purpose. The 30-year-old wants to inspire his fellow Japanese athletes to chase their own greatness with the same relentless determination that defined his journey to the throne.
From Japan to the world, Wakamatsu hopes his passion lights a fire in others.
“Little Piranha” explained:
“If people see me giving everything in the fight and think, ‘Wow, that’s amazing. I want to try too. I can do it too,’ then honestly, that’s enough for me.”
Wakamatsu Ready To Risk It All Against Pacio
Now, the real test begins for Yuya Wakamatsu. Combat sports history teaches one truth: you’re not truly a World Champion until you defend the belt. The Japanese star faces a dangerous challenger in Joshua Pacio, who is determined to derail everything he’s built.
Pacio poses a legitimate threat. The reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion aims to make history for the Philippines by becoming its first two-division MMA World Champion.
For Wakamatsu, the threat only sharpens his focus. He’ll enter the Circle with the same do-or-die mentality that he always has:
“Sometimes I just think, ‘Oh right, I’m the champion.’ I forget I’m the champion. But my mindset hasn’t really changed. Honestly, it still doesn’t feel real to me.
“I’ve always felt pressure, because I fight thinking, ‘If I lose, it’s over.’ So in the end, all I can do is fight with everything I have.”
Like Wakamatsu, Pacio’s path has been marked by resilience. The Baguio City native has captured the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title multiple times, always reclaiming glory after heartbreaking setbacks.
Most recently, “The Passion” settled his rivalry with Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks at ONE 171: Qatar this past February, defending his crown with a second-round TKO that showcased the Filipino’s elite finishing ability.
Now, the Lions Nation MMA star hunts an even bigger prize in Tokyo.
Wakamatsu knows what Pacio brings to the table – versatile skills, World Championship experience, and the hunger of a man chasing history. He welcomes it all:
“I know he’ll come at me ready to risk everything, and I want to show the fans a true war.”
