“I was just crying out of happiness” - Gilbert Nakatani recalls the emotions he had when he received the call from ONE Championship

Gilbert Nakatani knew that one call from ONE Championship would shift his life and career into a higher trajectory.

The American brawler will make his promotional debut against former world title contender Yuya Wakamatsu at the stacked ONE Fight Night 26 on Dec. 6, US primetime, at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

In an interview with the promotion, Nakatani recalled the exact moment when he answered that phone call from ONE Championship.

Gilbert Nakatani said he was in the cemetery to remember his mother's passing when his phone rang.

"I had gone to the cemetery to visit her, and it was an emotional day. Then I got hit with the call, and I was like, ‘No way.’ I was just crying out of happiness."

Nakatani, though, will have a tough task ahead of him when he steps between the ropes in Bangkok.

Waiting for Nakatani is Japanese star Wakamatsu, a former ONE flyweight MMA world title contender.

Wakamatsu is coming off two straight wins, and seven victories in his last nine matches.

'Little Piranha' once challenged for the ONE flyweight MMA world title when he faced then-holder Adriano Moraes at ONE X in March 2022. The 29-year-old, however, fell to the Brazilian submission machine via third-round submission.

Wakamatsu ultimately regained his form with two straight wins over Xie Wei at ONE Fight Night 12 and Danny Kingad at ONE 165.

Nakatani's promotional debut, and the entire ONE Fight Night 26 card are available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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Gilbert Nakatani ready to unleash his innate toughness in ONE Championship debut

Gilbert Nakatani has faced some of the worst a man could experience in life, but his amateur wrestling background helped him cope with the negative emotions he went through.

In the aforementioned interview with the promotion, Nakatani said his athletic exploits built his indomitable attitude in life and career.

"It really made me learn a lot about myself, you know? Losing, winning, losing, winning, injuries. I just continued to push myself to the next level. I always wanted to get better and level up. It was a blessing. Wrestling changed my life for the better."