ONE 165: Yuya Wakamatsu Prepared To Show New Version In Rematch With Danny Kingad

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Nearly six years ago, #4-ranked Yuya Wakamatsu and #2-ranked Danny Kingad collided at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES in September 2018. The latter pocketed the unanimous decision that night, and Wakamatsu has been looking to settle the score ever since.

Fortunately for him, their sequel arrives at ONE 165: Superlek vs. Takeru this Sunday, 28 January, when the pair are pitted against each other in a pivotal flyweight MMA showdown at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. It's an opportunity that "Little Piranha" has been waiting for.

"I think that I have grown tremendously as a fighter in so many different ways. I'm a completely different fighter now than I was when I first signed with ONE," Wakamatsu said.

"Since then, I have of course worked on my ground game to become a complete fighter - a complete fighter not only in terms of skill set, but also as a professional, with maturity and finesse in my approach to fighting."

Wakamatsu recently suffered back-to-back defeats. However, they were against established names that are nothing to be ashamed of. The Japanese star lost to former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Adriano Moraes at ONE X in 2022. Then at ONE 162 the following November against Woo Sung Hoon.

The setbacks truly tested the mettle compacted in Wakamatsu. While they were against esteemed competition, they almost led him to hanging up the gloves. But the third time was the charm for the Tokyo-based tussler, returning to winning ways in glorious fashion with a first-round knockout of Xie Wei.

The successful outing last July at ONE Fight Night 12 has since given Wakamatsu a new perspective. For this rematch, he has done his homework. And he believes a victory against his old foe Kingad will re-establish himself as a vital contender to the ONE flyweight MMA throne.

​​"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 said.

"Kingad is truly a flawless fighter. He is not a top-flight fighter in ONE for no reason. I have nailed down his habits and tendencies, so I am confident that I will be ready for whatever he throws at me."