Yuya Wakamatsu Puts ONE Flyweight MMA World Title On The Line Avazbek Kholmirzaev At ONE Samurai 1
Yuya Wakamatsu has spent years fighting his way back from the brink. On April 29 in Tokyo, he defends the world title that made every setback worth it.
ONE Championship has confirmed that “Little Piranha” will put his ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship on the line against Uzbek sensation Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev at ONE Samurai 1 at Ariake Arena — a homecoming that carries enormous personal weight for the TRIBE Tokyo MMA representative.
The road to this moment was anything but smooth. Wakamatsu endured devastating defeats before engineering one of ONE Championship’s most compelling comeback stories, gradually rebuilding himself into the best version of his career. That journey culminated at ONE 172 in March 2025 when he knocked out former multi-time ONE World Champion Adriano Moraes in the first round to claim the flyweight MMA throne.
He didn’t stop there. At ONE 173 last November, Wakamatsu delivered arguably the defining performance of his career, finishing reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio via second-round TKO in a statement that left no doubt about his status as one of the division’s most dangerous fighters. A five-fight winning streak now stretches behind him.
Kholmirzaev arrives as the hungriest challenger in the division. The 24-year-old Uzbek went 9-1 inside ONE Championship while riding a six-fight winning streak, his rise through the ranks as relentless as it has been spectacular.
He announced himself on the global stage at ONE Friday Fights 116 last July, earning a US$100,000 contract with a dominant performance over respected veteran Tatsumitsu Wada. He wasted no time making an impression on the main roster either — submitting Willie van Rooyen in the first round to snap the South African’s undefeated record, then showing genuine heart to finish Jeremy Miado in the second round at ONE Fight Night 38 last December after weathering early adversity.
Wakamatsu has everything to fight for. So does Kholmirzaev. Tokyo will find out who wants it more.
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