ONE Championship`s return to Japan at Saitama Super Arena for ONE 172 was nothing short of explosive, with all three MMA fights ending dramatically in the first round.
The highly anticipated flyweight title bout saw Yuya Wakamatsu challenge Adriano Moraes for the championship, which had become vacant after Demetrious Johnson`s retirement. Wakamatsu delivered a stunning performance, finishing Moraes within the first four minutes.
Wakamatsu asserted his dominance early in the fight, landing a powerful right hand and an uppercut that immediately put Moraes on notice. After a brief clinch, where both fighters exchanged body knees, Wakamatsu unleashed a devastating combination as they separated. A flurry of vicious uppercuts followed, sending Moraes to the canvas. Wakamatsu continued his attack, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 3:39 of the first round.
Under the guidance of MMA legend Ryo Chonan, “Little Piranha” Yuya Wakamatsu extends his winning streak to four fights, avenging his previous submission loss to Moraes in 2022.
The co-main MMA event featured the fourth showdown between Japanese MMA icon Shinya Aoki and Eduard Folayang. Aoki once again emerged victorious, securing a lightning-fast first-round submission against Folayang. Despite Folayang`s initial takedown defense and knee strikes, Aoki transitioned to guard and swiftly locked in a tight armbar, forcing a tap in just 53 seconds.
In the opening MMA fight of the night, Adrian Lee continued his undefeated professional career, improving to 3-0 with an impressive 63-second anaconda choke submission victory over Takeharu Ogawa.
The striking portion of ONE 172 was equally thrilling. In the main event kickboxing match, Rodtang Jitmuangnon delivered a spectacular first-round knockout against Takeru Segawa, dropping him with a powerful left hand. However, former UFC fighter and ONE bantamweight champion John Lineker experienced a setback in his kickboxing debut, losing 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 (MMA)
- 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 (MMA)
- Hiroki Akimoto def. John Lineker via Split Decision (Kickboxing)
- Adrian Lee def. Takeharu Ogawa via Submission (Anaconda Choke) – Round 1, 1:03 (MMA)
- 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)
