'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Yuya Wakamatsu was very impressed with Adriano Moraes' submission victory over Danny Kingad.
More than a year removed from his trilogy fight with Demetrious Johnson, Moraes returned to the ring for a high-stakes scrap with 'The King' at ONE 169 inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
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It took Moraes less than two rounds to secure a guillotine choke in the waning seconds of the second round, securing his spot as the top-ranked contender in the ONE flyweight MMA division.
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Appearing at the ONE 172 press conference in Tokyo, Japan, Wakamatsu praised Moraes' performance, saying:
"I watched his last match against Danny Kingad and I thought he was incredibly strong. It’s amazing, they're the best. And I think they’re really motivated. So I think it’s going to be a really tough battle."
A month after Moraes climbed back into the win column, Wakamatsu scored his third straight win under the ONE banner, setting the stage for a world title tilt between the two flyweight superstars.
Yuya Wakamatsu challenges Adriano Moraes for the vacant ONE flyweight MMA world title
Emanating from the iconic Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, March 23, ONE 172 will see the flyweight MMA division's top two contenders — Adriano Moraes and Yuya Wakamatsu — square off to crown a new ONE flyweight MMA world champion.
Previously, the title resided with P4P great Demetrious Johnson, but after 'Mighty Mouse' announced his retirement in September, the 26 pounds of flyweight gold needs a new owner.
Wakamatsu earned his spot in the highly anticipated showdown with his trio of wins over Xie Wei, the aforementioned Danny Kingad, and, most recently, Gilbert Nakatani.
Meanwhile, Moraes' only losses in the last five years have come against Johnson. With 'DJ' no longer in the picture, 'Mikinho' is determined to reclaim the flyweight crown and kickstart his ninth reign with the coveted title.
ONE 172 will emanate from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan on Sunday, March 23. Visit ONE Championship’s official website to sign up for early bird tickets to one of the most anticipated events of 2025.
