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MMA rising star Yuya Wakamatsu says that Japan would be his ideal location to fight for his second run at flyweight gold.
The 'Little Piranha' awed fans with his resilience and determination on December 6, when he secured his spot in the top five rankings with a hard-fought decision win over ONE newcomer Gilbert Nakatani at ONE Fight Night 26.
After extending his streak to two, the Japanese veteran is happy that things are finally falling into place with his latest victory. With a vacant belt on the line, Wakamatsu knows that it won't be long before he fights for a championship belt again. Maybe this time, he'll fight in front of his countrymen in Japan.
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At the ONE Fight Night 26 in-ring interviews, Wakamatsu told Mitch Chilson:
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"I know that I'm going to be the one to take that championship and I want the next title match to be held in Japan. Oh that would be tremendous."
Back in March 2022, Yuya Wakamatsu earned his shot at the flyweight world title after amassing a five-fight win streak against some of the toughest fighters in the division. He challenged former divisional world champion 'Mikinho' Adriano Moraes but unfortunately fell to the Brazilian superstar in the third round via stoppage.
Watch the OFN26 full replay via Prime Video in North America.
"I believe I can knock Moraes out" - Yuya Wakamatsu looks forward to a potential rematch with Adriano Moraes if he becomes champion again
Yuya Wakamatsu is looking forward to fighting anyone with the belt, but deep down, he hopes it's Adriano Moraes.
As aforementioned, the 29-year-old rising star has some unfinished business with Moraes. So much training and time went into defeating the Brazilian within the first two rounds of their world title brawl that if given the opportunity, Wakamatsu believes he won't fail again.
Speaking about his prospects of defeating Moraes if he were to recapture the belt, Wakamatsu told ONE:
"I'm confident I can surpass that finish him myself. Looking back, I'm a completely different fighter now compared to two years ago. I believe I can knock Moraes out."
