Yuya Wakamatsu Named ONE Championship’s 2025 MMA Fighter Of The Year
ONE Championship saw a myriad of the world’s best MMA fighters in 2025 test their skills on the global stage. Some delivered explosive performances, while others authored highlight-reel finishes that captivated the global fan base.
But one fighter stood a cut above the rest — Japanese superstar Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu.
The Tokyo native captured the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title in March, then successfully defended his crown against ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio at home in November to solidify his status as the promotion’s Fighter of the Year.
Wakamatsu battled for the World Title against former longtime champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, entering the contest behind a three-fight winning streak while carrying the hopes of his home nation.
Following Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson‘s retirement earlier in the year, the flyweight gold lay vacant and ready for the taking.
Most fans and pundits expected Moraes to reclaim his throne and reassert his dominance over the division.
But Wakamatsu had a different plan.
In front of his passionate hometown crowd in Tokyo, Wakamatsu stunned Moraes with a devastating left hook and uppercut combination before unleashing brutal ground-and-pound that forced a TKO stoppage in under four minutes.
The victory accomplished multiple goals simultaneously: Wakamatsu claimed the coveted 26-pound belt, earned a US$50,000 performance bonus from ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, and avenged his 2022 submission loss to Moraes at ONE X.
For his first World Title defense, Wakamatsu faced an even greater challenge with Filipino superstar Pacio moving up from strawweight to seek two-division glory.
The Filipino veteran started aggressively, landing early strikes that tested Wakamatsu’s resolve. The Japanese titleholder responded by attempting a guillotine choke in the opening round, showcasing his grappling threat.
Round two belonged entirely to the Japanese superstar. Wakamatsu floored Pacio with powerful strikes before delivering devastating grounded knees that forced referee intervention. The second-round TKO resulted in a successful World Title defense for the Tribe Tokyo MMA representative, and earned him another US$50,000 performance bonus.
With two dominant victories, US$100,000 in performance bonuses, and World Championship gold around his waist, Yuya Wakamatsu’s 2025 campaign stands as the year’s most accomplished in ONE Championship MMA competition.
