‘Feels Like Destiny To Me’ – Yuya Wakamatsu Promises To Embody The Bushido Spirit At ONE SAMURAI 1

When Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu walks into the Ariake Arena on Wednesday, April 29, he’ll carry far more than just 26 pounds of gold over his shoulders. He’ll be carrying the weight of a nation’s martial arts legacy. The reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion will make his second World Title defense against surging Uzbek phenom Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev in the co-main event of ONE SAMURAI 1 , which broadcasts live on pay-per-view from Tokyo, Japan.

This historic spectacle will mark the launch of the world’s largest martial arts organization’s new monthly event series in “The Land of the Rising Sun. ” View this post on Instagram For the 31-year-old Tokyo resident, co-headlining an event of this magnitude in his own backyard represents the culmination of a lifelong journey. Wakamatsu spent years competing at the highest level to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

Now, he finally gets the opportunity to defend the coveted belt in front of his hometown fans. The significance of fighting on Japanese soil provides Wakamatsu with a profound sense of purpose, especially since he will compete at the inaugural ONE SAMURAI show. “Little Piranha” said: “Fighting in Japan is a great honor.

I used to fight overseas, but now that I can fight in Japan, the country where I grew up, my fans can watch and my family can be there too. That makes it very special. “Being able to [defend] the World Title at ONE SAMURAI 1 makes me incredibly happy.