Yuya Wakamatsu Shocks the World by Beating Adriano Moraes to Claim ONE Flyweight MMA World Title
Japanese star Yuya Wakamatsu picked up a stunning victory against Adriano Moraes to capture the ONE Flyweight MMA world title at ONE 172: Takeru vs Rodtang in front of a jubilant crowd at the Saitama Super Arena.
The ONE Flyweight MMA world title has been vacant since the retirement of American great Demetrious Johnson at ONE 168 back in September last year.
One of the most established ONE Championship stars, former divisional champion Moraes, who owns a historic knockout victory against Johnson in their trilogy, was the heavy favorite going into the world championship fight.
And with a submission win against Wakamatsu already in his record, fans were expecting the 36-year-old Brazilian to pick up another win against the Japanese star.
However, Wakamatsu delivered perhaps the best performance of his career, striking the former world champion with big shots and an early left punch that left “Mikinho” visibly hurt.
The 30-year-old Japanese fighter continued to press forward, cornering Moraes and connecting with a left hook and an uppercut combination before launching a salvo of strikes that left his Brazilian foe unable to continue fighting at 3:39 of the first round.
With this shocking win, Wakamatsu is crowned as ONE Flyweight MMA world champion, raising his overall professional record to 19-6.
