Diogo Reis Views ONE Championship Gold As Beginning Rather Than Destination In Title Fight Against Daiki Yonekura
The Manaus gym where Diogo Reis learned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offered little beyond discipline, perseverance, and hunger that eventually outgrew the cramped training space. No elite coaches, no fancy equipment, no world-class facilities — just a kid determined to master the art through whatever resources he could access.
That foundation built something unshakeable inside the 23-year-old Brazilian who now stands one victory away from capturing the vacant ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title against Japan’s Daiki Yonekura at ONE Fight Night 38: Andrade vs. Baatarkhuu on Prime Video on Friday, December 5, broadcasting live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Two ADCC World Championships earned in 2022 and 2024 might satisfy most competitors at 23 years old, yet Reis insists his legacy remains under construction rather than anywhere near completion. The humble beginnings continue guiding him even after achieving what others only dream about, creating hunger that grows stronger rather than diminishing with each accolade collected across Brazil’s competitive circuits, throughout the United States, and eventually onto the global stage.
“What makes me different from the other athletes is my mind. Since I was a kid, I didn’t have big gyms or extra teachers. I’ve reached this level of jiu-jitsu with the minimum things,” Reis said. “Now I have all this support, so if I did all of that without it, [I know] I can go to the next level.”
That mindset propelled his meteoric rise through thousands of hours on the mats, transforming pressure into purpose while viewing external expectations as confirmation he’s walking the right path. His work resonates beyond gym walls now, creating opportunities like ONE Championship that allow showcasing skills refined through years spent developing technique where others might have found excuses for mediocrity.
“This is the consequence of my hard work. I’m a guy who doesn’t sit and do nothing – I let my work talk for me. So I’m just happy because I work very hard, and then the results come by themselves. Being in ONE now is a big opportunity. So I can show my skills to the world,” Reis said.
His 93 career victories haven’t created complacency — quite the opposite. The BJJ College standout views his youth as fuel rather than accomplishment, understanding that 23 years old represents the beginning of something legendary rather than the middle of an already complete career. While others might rest on their ADCC championships, Reis sees mountains left to climb.
“I’m very young. I’m only 23. I know I can [achieve] more. I’m only starting to build my legacy,” Reis said. “I’m only in the beginning of everything. So I have a big way until I become a legend in the sport.”
Yonekura presents exactly the kind of challenge that validates whether that confidence is justified. The Japanese submission artist has carved a reputation as a lethal and unpredictable threat through sharp leg locks, crisp mechanics, and victories over respected Brazilian grapplers. Reis remembers the exact moment Yonekura caught his attention, watching the Japanese standout submit a Brazilian friend, instantly signaling skill and potential that demanded respect.
“I know he is one of the best in Japan. I saw him defeat my Brazilian friend. If he’s one of the best in Japan, it’s good for me. I’m ready to defeat him,” Reis said. “I never underestimate [anyone.] I know he’s really good. He has good leg locks and foot locks, so he’s really good on that.”
Yet Reis carries something intangible into Friday’s collision — familiarity with ONE Championship’s global stage. His debut at ONE Fight Night 29 delivered a declaration when he chained a head-scissor choke into a kimura to finish Shoya Ishiguro, proving his creativity and aggression were tailor-made for the promotion’s aggressive submission-only rule set. That experience provides advantages beyond simple technique.
“My experience is going to be the big advantage. The first ONE event was all new. Now I know how everything works – the travel, the hotel, the training, all these stuff. Everything has changed since the first time I arrived here,” Reis said. “Winning this belt is everything to me. [I’m grateful] ONE is giving me the opportunity. It’s one more big achievement in my career.”
Yonekura’s ambition mirrors his own. Two global stars, two contrasting paths, and one belt lying at the center of their collision. Only one walks out with history strapped around their waist, yet Reis already knows exactly how he intends seizing it. The guillotine choke that’s become his signature will determine whether Friday marks another chapter in his evolving legacy or simply the beginning others expected all along.
“I want to finish this fight by guillotine,” Reis said.
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