Gilbert Nakatani targets another finish against Joshua Perreira at ONE Fight Night 42

Gilbert Nakatani finally looks like the fighter he always believed he was. The 32-year-old Aragon Training Academy product makes his long-awaited breakthrough at ONE Fight Night 42 on Prime Video on April 10 when he steps into the ring against Joshua “Flyin Hawaiian” Perreira in flyweight MMA action, live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

His first two appearances in ONE ended in competitive decision losses to Yuya Wakamatsu and Jeremy Miado. They were both formidable opponents. But both bouts were impacted by health issues heading in.

It was his third outing at ONE Fight Night 37 last November that showed exactly what a fully healthy Nakatani looks like. He stopped Eko Roni Saputra in the first round with clean, efficient striking. He walked away unscathed and brimming with the kind of confidence that comes from executing a game plan perfectly.

Perreira arrives as a serious test. The Hawaiian MMA fighter entered ONE with a 5-0 record but suffered a career-threatening knee injury in his promotional debut against Banma Duoji at ONE Fight Night 29. It was later ruled a no contest.

He returns to the ring after months of rehabilitation with something to prove. Nakatani respects the threat but sees a clear experience edge in his own favor.

“I had no flaws, walked out unscathed. I feel like if I do what I’m supposed to do and can continue to be healthy, and I go into this next fight and treat it just the way I did the last one, then I can easily get another first-round finish. If not, a second. So, I don’t see me giving these guys any more chances,” Nakatani said.

“I just feel like my skill set and my level of competition have been a little bit harder. He’s tough, strong, and athletic. He’s well-rounded. But with my pressure, my speed, and all of my attributes, I feel very confident in this fight.”

Gilbert Nakatani lays out his path back to Wakamatsu and Miado

Gilbert Nakatani has unfinished business in ONE Championship’s flyweight MMA division. The losses to Wakamatsu and Miado have not faded. They remain a source of motivation that drives every training session. A win over Perreira on Friday keeps him moving in the right direction and keeps those rematches within reach.

He is not mapping out a cautious climb. He wants to fight whoever ONE puts in front of him, he wants finishes, and he wants to eventually settle the score with the men who beat him. That mentality has carried him from the West Coast MMA circuit to one of the most competitive flyweight divisions in the world.

“He’s finishing everybody, but he didn’t finish me. I was not healthy, so I’m looking forward to getting that rematch one day,” Gilbert Nakatani said.

“I’ll work my way back to Wakamatsu. I know it’s not easy to get to the title, so I’m willing to do what I have to do to get there and fight whoever they put in front of me. I’m not scared of anybody in this world, so I’m ready to just go in there, give it my all, and continue to climb the ranks. Hopefully, one day, I’ll get the Miado rematch and then maybe one day after that, I’ll get the Wakamatsu rematch.”