Chatri Sityodtong reveals Yoshihiro ‘Sexyama’ Akiyama’s next fight is in the works

ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong has revealed that he has held conversations with Yoshihiro ‘Sexyama’ Akiyama about returning to the circle.

After he was spotted at ONE Fight Night 8, the ONE CEO was asked about Akiyama’s return during his interviews after the event. At the age of 47 years old, the combat sports legend still wants to compete, and who can blame him given his last performance inside the circle?

At ONE X last March, he fought for the first time in two years and finished Shinya Aoki in the second round, winning a performance bonus from ONE Championship as a result.

Considering that he expressed his desire to keep competing until he is 50 after defeating Aoki, this announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Sityodtong gave fans this update:

“Yes, he wants to fight again, for sure. He’s ready to go. We were talking about potential opponents tonight, or today rather. So yeah, there are big plans.”

Watch the full interview below:

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Fans clamor for more Mikey Musumeci and Yoshihiro Akiyama after seeing them at ONE Fight Night 8

Following one particular moment on the ONE Fight Night 8 broadcast, ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong knew he would be asked about the current situation of Yoshihiro Akiyama.

One of the most entertaining parts of the entire night came when the camera panned to an unlikely duo sitting side-by-side with each other.

ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci was taking in the action next to the man that they call ‘Sexyama’. Forming everyone’s new favorite duo, it was only a matter of time before ONE Championship posted the clip online and got fans reacting to it.

The ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion and 'Sexyama' were captured enjoying the show and giving out some "Korean hearts" to the fans watching at home:

"'Sexyama' and 'Darth Rigatoni' in the house! Buddy cop movie coming soon? 😎🤓 @akiyamachoo @mikeymusumeci"

As expected, ONE Championship fans showed their love for the duo in the comments.

As the caption implies, who wouldn’t pay to see a buddy cop movie between these two elite martial arts with totally different styles and personalities?

Comments on Mikey Musumeci and Yoshihiro Akiyama at ONE Fight Night 8

@disabled_din suggest another on-camera roll for Akiyama:

"Give me Akiyama hosting a side show for ONE, I would like to see Akiyama being a game show host for a ONE Amazon Prime Exclusive series"

@diegoleizo simply said what he saw when the camera cut to them:

"Tony Stark and Peter Parker!!"

@the_austin_darrow chose to pitch the two as recording artists:

"Form a band called Sexy Rigatoni"

@mrkultivator summarized everyone’s thoughts:

"The duet we didn’t know we needed! Legends of their fields"