ONE Championship returned to Japan with a bang at ONE 172, held at the Saitama Super Arena. All three MMA fights on the main card concluded in the first round, delivering exciting finishes for the fans.
Wakamatsu Stops Moraes for Flyweight Title
The flyweight championship fight saw Yuya Wakamatsu face off against Adriano Moraes for the vacant belt, which opened up after Demetrious Johnson`s retirement. Wakamatsu secured a TKO victory before the four-minute mark.
Wakamatsu started aggressively, taking the center of the ring and landing powerful punches, including a strong right hand and uppercut. After a clinch, Wakamatsu unleashed a series of strikes as they separated, culminating in a flurry of uppercuts that dropped Moraes. The referee stopped the fight at 3:39 of the first round as Wakamatsu continued his attack.
Fighting with the support of MMA legend Ryo Chonan in his corner, Wakamatsu, nicknamed “Little Piranha,” extends his winning streak to four fights. This victory also marks a successful revenge for Wakamatsu, who previously lost to Moraes by submission in 2022.
Aoki Submits Folayang in Under a Minute
The co-main MMA event was the fourth meeting between veterans Shinya Aoki and Eduard Folayang. Aoki once again emerged victorious, submitting Folayang in the first round. Folayang initially defended a takedown and landed knees, but Aoki transitioned to guard and quickly locked in a decisive armbar, ending the fight in just 53 seconds.
Lee Opens Card with Quick Anaconda Choke
The first MMA bout of the night saw Adrian Lee continue his undefeated professional record, now 3-0, with a swift anaconda choke submission over Takeharu Ogawa in just 63 seconds.
Kickboxing and Muay Thai Action
The striking portion of ONE 172 was equally thrilling. Rodtang Jitmuangnon delivered a spectacular first-round knockout against Takeru Segawa in their highly anticipated kickboxing main event. Rodtang finished the fight with a powerful left hand. In another kickboxing bout, former UFC fighter and ONE bantamweight champion John Lineker competed but lost a split decision to Hiroki Akimoto.
ONE 172 Results:
- Rodtang Jitmuangnon def. Takeru Segawa via KO — Round 1, 1:20 (Kickboxing)
- Masaaki Noiri def. Tawanchai PK Saenchai via TKO — Round 1, 1:55 (Kickboxing)
- Yuya Wakamatsu def. Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes via TKO — Round 1, 3:39
- Jonathan Di Bella def. Sam-A Gaiyanghadao via Unanimous Decision (Kickboxing)
- Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom def. Kana Morimoto via Unanimous Decision (Kickboxing)
- Nabil Anane def. Superlek Kiatmoo9 via Unanimous Decision (Muay Thai)
- Nadaka Yoshinari def. Rak Erawan via KO — Round 3, 2:40 (Muay Thai)
- Shinya Aoki def. Eduard Folayang via Submission (Armbar) — Round 1, 0:53
- Hiroki Akimoto def. John Lineker via Split Decision (Kickboxing)
- Adrian Lee def. Takeharu Ogawa via Submission (Anaconda Choke) — Round 1, 1:03
- Shimon Yoshinari defeats Yodlekpet Or Atchariya via Unanimous Decision (Muay Thai)
- Hyu def. Zakaria El Jamari via KO — Round 1, 2:12 (Kickboxing)
- Ryusei defeats Suriyanlek Por Yenying via Unanimous Decision (Kickboxing)
