Yuya Wakamatsu reflects on previous loss to Adriano Moraes ahead of ONE 172 world title rematch

Second-ranked flyweight MMA star Yuya Wakamatsu has come a great distance in ONE Championship. Arriving as a promising 22-year-old to a World Title challenger, he’s risen up the ranks to turn into a divisional stalwart, and he seems to be to make good on his second likelihood at gold.  

The Japanese jouster meets #1-ranked flyweight MMA star Adriano Moraes in a rematch for the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang this Sunday, March 23, at Japan’s Saitama Tremendous Area. 

ONE 172 offers an opportunity for Wakamatsu to actual revenge on the previous king. This comes after their battle three years in the past at ONE X. Moraes submitted the Japanese star within the third spherical that evening. 

Nevertheless, three years on, Wakamatsu believes he’s now not the promising prospect he as soon as was. He’s now a battle-tested divisional stalwart who is able to make good on his second likelihood at being ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion.

“Wanting again on the ONE X occasion, once I fought, I used to be immature and I simply felt overwhelmed. My mentality was such that I used to be assured, but imperfect,” he mentioned. 

“The distinction between the place I used to be three years in the past and the place I’m now could be, in different phrases, I’ve realized what it means to struggle, or what’s the aim of life.”