"The top flyweight MMA fighters in the world" - Chatri Sityodtong on pivotal world title match at ONE 172 in March 

ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong confirmed that flyweight MMA megastars Adriano Moraes and Yuya Wakamatsu will duel over the currently vacant 135-pound MMA world championship in the co-main event of ONE 172 on March 23, 2025.

During the ONE 172 press conference, ONE's head honcho shared:

"We're gonna feature a few world title fights. I will make some very big surprises and big announcements in January, but for today, I can announce an MMA world title fight between Yuya Wakamatsu and Adriano Moraes, two of the greatest flyweights on the planet right now, given that DJ has retired."

He continued:

"But there could be surprises down the road, but in any case, this is a rematch of the ages. Yuya just told me backstage he's gonna knock out Adriano. Adriano is the only man in history who knocked out Demetrious Johnson, the greatest of all-time flyweight."

Adriano Moraes, the top-ranked ONE flyweight MMA competitor, is coming off a statement victory over Filipino rival Danny Kingad at ONE 169 this past November by submitting him via guillotine choke late in the second round.

Not to be outdone, 'Little Piranha', the second-ranked 135-pound MMA contender, most recently handed the debuting Gilbert Nakatani a three-round beatdown at ONE Fight Night 26 on Dec. 6.

ONE 172 will occur inside the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

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Adriano Moraes has one win over Yuya Wakamatsu

As Chatri Sityodtong pointed out, Adriano Moraes and Yuya Wakamatsu's encounter at ONE 172 will be a rematch between the two flyweight MMA stars.

'Mikinho', then-reigning as the flyweight MMA king, first crossed paths with the Tribe Tokyo MMA product at ONE X in March 2022, where Wakamatsu sought to ascend to the throne at Moraes' expense.

However, the Brazilian standout displayed his craftiness in the third round, stifling Wakamatsu's takedown attempt and retained the crown via guillotine choke.