‘I Absolutely Refuse To Lose’ – Yuya Wakamatsu Ignites World Title Reclamation Bid At ONE SAMURAI 3
Former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu stands on home soil once more, driven by a relentless mission to reclaim his lost throne.
That uncompromising crusade carries him directly into the co-main event slot of ONE SAMURAI 3, where he will face Willie “White Lion” van Rooyen in a pivotal flyweight MMA showdown. The blockbuster event emanates live from Yokohama Buntai in Japan on Saturday, September 12.
Wakamatsu once conquered the unforgiving road in flyweight MMA, ascending to the absolute summit and earning recognition as the 2025 ONE MMA Fighter of the Year. Even so, the Japanese powerhouse acknowledges that fighting his way back to the mountaintop will exact an even heavier toll than his initial World Championship run.
The first obstacle on that treacherous path is Van Rooyen, a 23-year-old sensation who brings a stellar 8-1 record and a dynamic striking arsenal into this high-stakes clash. The South African presents a highly technical puzzle spanning multiple ranges, but Wakamatsu is fiercely excited to launch his new World Title bid against a worthy adversary.
The Tribe Tokyo MMA mainstay told onefc.com:
“I knew we’d fight eventually. I’ve been watching him for a while and thought he was a really good fighter.
“He’s a super dangerous guy, especially his striking. It’s excellent. And he’s got a strong mentality too. He’s got the technique, the sharpness, the speed, and the power. He’s incredibly dangerous.”
The palpable excitement surrounding this stylistic matchup is undeniably justified. Van Rooyen’s unpredictable switch-hitting style produced a mesmerizing come-from-behind TKO over Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado at ONE Fight Night 41 this past March, creating a fascinating contrast with Wakamatsu’s own explosive, one-punch finishing power.
Yet what commands Wakamatsu’s attention above all else is the single blemish on Van Rooyen’s record. Reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev dismantled “White Lion” in his ONE debut — the exact same man who stripped Wakamatsu of his belt at ONE SAMURAI 1 in April. The winner of this upcoming showdown could find himself directly in line for a highly anticipated rematch with the newly crowned king who took everything from both of them.
He said:
“He’s only got one loss, and that’s the main fight I have to look at. The footage of his face at the exact moment he realizes he’s losing — I use that to build my mental image of breaking him.
“Because when a guy is winning, it’s the complete opposite. They’re on the attack, feeling confident. Finding footage of a top-tier fighter getting beat up is pretty rare, so it’s valuable material. I use it to fuel my visualization.”
With 10 promotional victories to his name, global fans know exactly what to expect when Wakamatsu steps under the arena lights. However, true martial artists constantly evolve, and the imminent threat of a dangerous younger adversary is forging an entirely new version of the seasoned contender.
While his signature killer instinct remains a terrifying constant, the 31-year-old Wakamatsu plans to unleash relentless chain wrestling and suffocating top pressure to drag Van Rooyen into deep waters and keep him there.
“Little Piranha” continued:
“Everyone expects Wakamatsu to fight a certain way. But on fight night, I want them to go, ‘What the hell is this style?!’ I want to look like a completely different animal compared to my last fight.
“You have this incredibly talented, hungry young fighter going up against a veteran like me who’s fighting with his back against the wall. I absolutely refuse to lose.”
Wakamatsu Will Stop At Nothing To Reclaim His Throne
The night Yuya Wakamatsu lost 26 pounds of gold to Avazbek Kholmirzaev still stings deeply. That shattering defeat opened emotional wounds that have yet to fully heal, forcing a profound internal reckoning that fundamentally reshaped how he prepares and competes.
Far from a closed chapter, that loss haunts him daily, pushing the Japanese superstar to confront the most uncomfortable questions about his own ability and enduring desire.
The former divisional titleholder admitted:
“If I had to say what I changed based on the last fight, it’d be that hungry mentality. Up until now, my fights felt like I was trying to protect my position. But this time, I’m bringing that hunger that Kholmirzaev showed when he beat me.
“I am completely obsessed with getting that ONE belt back. Literally the day after that loss, it became a daily battle against the fear of, ‘Do I still have what it takes to get there?'”
Van Rooyen is the crucial first step on the arduous climb back to the throne. Beating the South African is not the final destination — it is simply the opening move.
To ensure he leaves with his hand raised in triumph, Wakamatsu has pushed his mind and body into agonizing, uncharted territory throughout this training camp. September 12 at Yokohama Buntai is where the master plan begins in earnest.
He concluded:
“I want to wrap that belt around my waist again, and I’ve decided to push myself to the absolute physical limits of what I can do.
“My goal going forward — first, on September 12th, I’m going to brutally finish Willie Van Rooyen. Whether it’s later this year or next year, I want that rematch [with Kholmirzaev] and I want to put him out.”
