Yuya Wakamatsu brings fire ceremonies and samurai resolve into his second ONE Flyweight MMA World Title defense

Before every fight camp, Yuya Wakamatsu performs Gomagyo, a Buddhist fire ceremony designed to ward off negative energy and clear the mind. He also undertakes waterfall training to cleanse himself before the work begins. These are not superstitions. For “Little Piranha,” they are the foundation.

The reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion makes his second title defense against surging Uzbek contender Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev in the co-main event of ONE SAMURAI 1, broadcasting live via pay-per-view from Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday, April 29.

Wakamatsu stopped Joshua Pacio with ground-and-pound and knees in round two at ONE 173 last November to make his first successful defense, and now he gets to do it again in his own backyard, at the inaugural event of ONE’s new monthly Japan series.

For the 31-year-old Tokyo resident, the name “ONE SAMURAI” is not branding. It is a mirror of how he has lived his entire career.

“Fighting in Japan is a great honor. I used to fight overseas, but now that I can fight in Japan, the country where I grew up, my fans can watch and my family can be there too. That makes it very special,” he said.

“Being able to [defend] the World Title at ONE SAMURAI 1 makes me incredibly happy. I believe in Bushido, and I live by the spirit of the samurai. To [compete] at the first event is a huge honor. This event lets me express the way I’ve lived my life, and show it to my family and my fans. It’s an incredible stage.”

Yuya Wakamatsu wants to use ONE SAMURAI 1 to revive Japan’s fighting spirit

Yuya Wakamatsu sees this title defense as more than a personal milestone. He wants to use the platform to remind Japan of what its people are capable of, mentally and spiritually, not just physically.

Kholmirzaev is a dangerous opponent. The Uzbek phenom has torn through the flyweight division with nine wins inside ONE, eight of them by stoppage, and enters Tokyo on a six-fight winning streak. Wakamatsu has studied him and knows what is coming. His answer is not power or size. It is mindset.

“I honestly feel that we’ve lost that core spirit, and [we are] focused too much on outward, physical aspects instead of what’s inside. That’s why, physically, we may seem weaker now. But mentally, I believe we are the strongest in the world,” he said.

“My idea of Bushido is first and foremost overcoming yourself — defeating your own weaknesses, facing them head-on, and continuing to fight them. It’s also about not just fighting, but also valuing your family and caring for others, and also being grateful for everything, having humility, sincerity, and consideration for others. These are the true strengths of the Japanese people, and all of that is embodied in Bushido.”