‘The Biggest Fight Of My Life’ – Daiki Yonekura Ready To Claim Gold Against Diogo Reis At ONE Fight Night 38

Japanese submission grappling sensation Daiki Yonekura wants to prove he belongs among the world’s elite, and at ONE Fight Night 38: Andrade vs. Baatarkhuu on Prime Video this Friday, December 5, he gets his chance to do exactly that.

The 29-year-old will meet two-time ADCC World Champion Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis for the vacant ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championship on the organization’s final American primetime spectacle of the year inside Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.

The IGLOO representative will head into this showdown after enjoying his most memorable year as a black belt. In 2024, he captured gold at the IBJJF Pan Pacific Championship and both the ADCC Sydney Open and ADCC Vegas Open.

Though his achievements did boost his stock, Yonekura doesn’t want to be known as merely Japan’s top submission grappling expert. 

He also craves validation on the global stage, and facing one of the sport’s most dangerous finishers and a fellow Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt for World Championship gold represents the ultimate opportunity to prove his worth.

Yonekura told onefc.com:

“Being ranked #1 in Japan might be an honor, but I’m not interested in that. What matters to me is who I can fight in the world — and more than that, I want to fight the top fighters globally. So being able to face someone like ‘Baby Shark’ is truly an honor for me.

“I am also really happy to receive this offer. This is the biggest fight of my life. For ONE Championship to put me straight into a title match – it makes me feel like they recognize my abilities. I’m grateful for that, too.”

While he takes great pride in facing the Brazilian submission hunter, Yonekura recognizes he has a tough test in front of him inside the Mecca of Muay Thai.

Reis announced his arrival in the world’s largest martial arts organization with a sublime finish of Shoya Ishiguro at ONE Fight Night 29 this past March. The 23-year-old combined suffocating top pressure with creative submission setups before forcing a tap via kimura.

“Baby Shark’s” relentless attacking style and technical brilliance have led him to two ADCC World Titles and an IBJJF Grand Slam — capturing the Worlds, Pan, Brazilian, and European Championships in the lower belt divisions. 

The IGLOO athlete continued:

“I’m grateful he accepted the fight. He’s the World Champion in the weight class I’ve been aiming for — a two-division champion. He’s strong everywhere – top, bottom, and standing. He really has no weaknesses.

“I’ve never fought someone this strong before. But if I can beat him now, it means I already have a very high level of skill — and it makes me excited about my future.”

Yonekura Looking To Wrap Things Up Early

Though he respects Diogo Reis’ arsenal, Daiki Yonekura senses that he can find cracks in his opponent’s world-class defense using his trademark leg-locking game at ONE Fight Night 38 on Prime Video.

The Japanese athlete has built his reputation on speed, precision, and intricate leg entanglements that create chaos in scrambles.

Moreover, he believes his extensive experience competing at flyweight gives him a critical edge in this battle for flyweight submission grappling supremacy:

“The question right now for me is how I can impose my leg locks on him. But there are 10 minutes, and there will definitely be a moment to grab his leg, so I absolutely want to finish with a leg lock.

“Besides, this 135-pound division is something he hasn’t experienced much. I actually have more experience at flyweight, so I think that gives me a bit of an advantage.”

Should he shock the world and catch “Baby Shark” with a highlight-reel moment at ONE Fight Night 38, Yonekura would become the first Japanese athlete to capture a ONE Championship Submission Grappling World Title.

This distinction carries immense pride and responsibility, not just for his career but for the future of the “gentle art” in Japan.

The 29-year-old concluded:

“I’m the first Japanese athlete to compete in a ONE title match like this, and of course, if I win the belt, I’ll be the first as well. I hope I can pave the way so that others will be able to aim for this, too. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.

“Becoming the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion would prove that I’m the strongest in the world. So I definitely want to bring that belt home.”