ONE Championship has officially named Yuya Wakamatsu as the 2025 MMA Fighter of the Year, rewarding an unforgettable season in which the Japanese star won and defended the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title in spectacular fashion.
With two fights, two knockouts, and two massive performance bonuses, Wakamatsu delivered one of the most exciting championship stories of the year—both wins coming in front of his home fans in Japan.
A Perfect Championship Year for Yuya Wakamatsu
The 30-year-old entered 2025 in strong form, riding a three-fight winning streak. That momentum carried him into the biggest opportunity of his career: a shot at the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title.
Wakamatsu didn’t just win the belt—he dominated the year with confidence, power, and championship heart.
Title-Winning Moment at ONE 172
In March 2025, Wakamatsu faced former flyweight king Adriano Moraes at ONE 172. The pressure was huge, but the Japanese contender rose to the occasion.
He stopped Moraes with a first-round TKO, capturing the vacant flyweight title in a career-defining performance. The win was extra special as it avenged his 2022 loss and came against the first fighter to ever knock out Demetrious Johnson.
That night, Wakamatsu also took home a US$50,000 performance bonus.
Successful Title Defense at ONE 173
Wakamatsu returned in November to defend his belt at ONE 173, again fighting on home soil. His challenger was Joshua Pacio, the reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion, who moved up in weight chasing two-division glory.
Pacio started aggressively and tested Wakamatsu early. But the champion stayed calm, absorbed the pressure, and turned the fight around with smart defense and relentless offense.
In Round 2, Wakamatsu unleashed devastating grounded knees, a move allowed under ONE Championship’s MMA rules. The strikes ended the fight via TKO, sealing another emphatic win and another US$50,000 performance bonus.
Yuya Wakamatsu 2025 Championship Summary
| Fight | Event | Opponent | Result | Method | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title Fight | ONE 172 (March 2025) | Adriano Moraes | Win | Round 1 TKO | $50,000 |
| Title Defense | ONE 173 (November 2025) | Joshua Pacio | Win | Round 2 TKO | $50,000 |
Why Wakamatsu Deserved Fighter of the Year
Yuya Wakamatsu’s 2025 campaign stood out for several reasons:
- Won the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title
- Defended the belt against a reigning world champion
- Finished both fights by TKO
- Earned two performance bonuses
- Delivered elite performances in front of Japanese fans
His power, resilience, and ability to shine under pressure made him the most complete and exciting MMA fighter in ONE Championship this year.
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Yuya Wakamatsu’s rise in 2025 was nothing short of inspirational. From winning the vacant flyweight title to defending it in dominant fashion, he proved he belongs among the very best in the sport.
With championship gold around his waist and Fighter of the Year honors in hand, Wakamatsu now stands as one of ONE Championship’s biggest stars—and his journey is only getting started.
