Yuya Wakamatsu Eyes Redemption in ONE 165 Rematch Against Danny Kingad

25 January 2024

Japanese flyweight contender Yuya "Little Piranha" Wakamatsu is gearing up for a pivotal moment in his mixed martial arts journey as he prepares to rematch Danny "The King" Kingad on the highly anticipated ONE 165: Superlek vs. Takeru card, set to take place this Sunday, January 28.

Almost six years since their initial encounter, #4-ranked flyweight MMA contender Wakamatsu and #2-ranked Kingad will lock horns in a crucial clash at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. Despite facing setbacks in his career, including a recent two-fight losing streak, "Little Piranha" is grateful for the opportunity to compete on such a massive stage and showcase his skills in front of his home fans.

Now back on the winning track after a TKO victory over Xie Wei in his last outing, Wakamatsu expressed his gratitude for the chance to face top-tier athletes in the world's largest martial arts organization, ONE Championship. Reflecting on his journey, the 28-year-old veteran shared his thoughts with onefc.com:

“I honestly feel fortunate to have made it this far. I could have been cut from the ONE roster after losing my first two fights in the promotion.

“After my recent two-fight skid, I mentioned to my coach that I was thinking about quitting for the first time in my career. But I just let myself cool down for a bit and got back to work.

“I was really relieved to beat Xie Wei in my last match. I felt that I had persevered and managed to survive after enduring a really rough patch in my career.”

Wakamatsu's loss to Kingad marked his debut in ONE Championship, followed by a defeat to MMA great Demetrious Johnson. Despite facing setbacks, he embarked on an impressive five-bout winning streak, earning him a shot at the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title. Unfortunately, he fell short, succumbing to submissions by then-champion Adriano Moraes and suffering a stoppage by Woo Sung Hoon in his subsequent appearance.

Acknowledging the challenges he faced, Wakamatsu emphasizes the growth he has undergone as a fighter. From initially being a one-dimensional striker, he has evolved into a complete martial artist, working on all facets of his game, including his ground skills. As he approaches the rematch with Kingad, Wakamatsu is not only a more skilled fighter but also a mature and finesseful professional in his approach to the sport.

Fans eagerly await the redemption story of Yuya Wakamatsu as he steps into the cage against Danny Kingad in what promises to be an enthralling matchup at ONE 165.