Wakamatsu Vs. Kholmirzaev: 4 Keys To Victory In ONE Flyweight MMA World Title Fight At ONE SAMURAI 1

Sparks will fly when two of the most lethal finishers in ONE Championship’s flyweight MMA division collide for 26 pounds of gold at ONE SAMURAI 1 . ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu will defend his coveted belt against Uzbek destroyer Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev in the historic co-main event on Wednesday, April 29, which broadcasts live on pay-per-view from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. View this post on Instagram Wakamatsu has cemented himself as the new face of Japanese MMA.

First, he knocked out Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes in a monumental performance to capture the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title at ONE 172 in March 2025. Then, seven months later, the Japanese star stopped reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio via second-round TKO to retain his gold at ONE 173 . Now, a more dangerous challenge awaits.

Kholmirzaev has been a complete wrecking ball, compiling a 15-2 professional record with a shocking 93 percent finishing rate. What’s more, he owns nine victories in the world’s largest martial arts organization. That said, here is what it will take for each man to leave the Ariake Arena with the belt draped over his shoulder.

View this post on Instagram #1 Wakamatsu’s Dynamite Left Hook Wakamatsu possesses some of the most jaw-dropping power in the entire promotion. Every strike carries enough torque to end a fight instantly, but it is his left hook that stands above the rest. The 31-year-old’s boxing is his greatest attribute.