Yuya Wakamatsu Carries More Than Gold Into ONE SAMURAI 1
Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu has defended the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title before. He has never done it like this at home, in front of his family, at an event whose name encapsulates the philosophy he has built his entire career around.
The 31-year-old Tokyo resident puts his title on the line against Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev in the co-main event of ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29 at Ariake Arena. The occasion carries a weight that goes well beyond the result.
“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,” Wakamatsu said. “Being able to defend the World Title at ONE SAMURAI 1 makes me incredibly happy. I believe in Bushido, and I live by the spirit of the samurai. To compete at the first event is a huge honor. This event lets me express the way I’ve lived my life, and show it to my family and my fans.”
The samurai spirit is not a promotional construct for Wakamatsu. It is the operating framework of his daily life. Before major fight camps he performs Gomagyo — a Buddhist fire ceremony intended to clear negative energy — and undertakes waterfall training as a form of mental cleansing. These are not superstitions or habits. They are the rituals of a fighter who genuinely believes the mental dimension of combat is where Japanese martial arts has always held its deepest advantage, and where it currently falls short.
“What ONE SAMURAI brings to Japan is the values martial arts teach — honesty, courage, determination, and respect for others,” he said. “Martial arts isn’t just about fighting. It’s the mindset that matters most. I believe ONE Championship is the only organization that truly represents that. That’s why fighting in ONE Championship feels like destiny to me. To me, ONE itself is Bushido.”
His conviction about Japan’s mental edge runs through everything he prepares for Kholmirzaev, an Uzbek finisher who has earned nine promotional wins and stopped opponents across multiple disciplines. The challenge is formidable. Wakamatsu’s answer to it is rooted not in a tactical adjustment but in a deeper cultural belief.
“I honestly feel that we’ve lost that core spirit, and focused too much on outward, physical aspects instead of what’s inside,” Wakamatsu said. “But mentally, I believe we are the strongest in the world. My idea of Bushido is first and foremost overcoming yourself — defeating your own weaknesses, facing them head-on, and continuing to fight them. It’s also about valuing your family, caring for others, being grateful for everything, having humility, sincerity, and consideration for others. These are the true strengths of the Japanese people, and all of that is embodied in Bushido.”
A title defence in spectacular fashion on April 29 would mean more to Wakamatsu than any previous result. He believes the ripple effect of what happens inside Ariake Arena extends far beyond the sport.
“The impact ONE SAMURAI will have on Japan is bringing back the Bushido spirit that people have forgotten,” he said. “I want to be the one who embodies that spirit and leads the way.”
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