"My dream job" - Yuya Wakamatsu says MMA means more to his life than just fighting

Yuya Wakamatsu doesn't view mixed martial arts as merely a career – it's the realization of everything he's worked toward.

The reigning ONE flyweight MMA world champion makes his first world title defense at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Sunday, Nov. 16.

'Little Piranha' faces a stern test in ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua Pacio, who attempts to gain two-sport world champion status in the Japanese capital city.

In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post (SCMP) ahead of their all-champion showdown, the 30-year-old Tribe Tokyo MMA warrior reflected on what mixed martial arts represents beyond just competition and championship gold.

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"I think MMA is the best job or my dream job. I deserve to continue this sport as well. MMA teaches me about the mental techniques and physical skills all around. That's the thing I got from MMA," Yuya Wakamatsu told SCMP.

'The Passion' brings years of world championship experience and represents the toughest challenge Wakamatsu has faced since capturing the title with a first-round TKO of former kingpin Adriano Moraes at ONE 172 in Japan in March.

But it's clear that 'Little Piranha' is fueled to claim a successful world title defense in Tokyo, and he'd leave no stone unturned to succeed in his mission come ONE 173 inside the Ariake Arena this Sunday.

Watch his interview with SCMP below:

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Yuya Wakamatsu leaning on Japanese fans to carry him to victory against Joshua Pacio

Yuya Wakamatsu says that competing in front of his passionate fans in Japan at ONE 172 in Saitama helped him overcome Moraes in their world title rematch.

And 'Little Piranha' says their cheers and support could come in handy once more as he looks to impress the masses when he clashes against Pacio in the co-main event of ONE 173.

"Yes, winning the title in [my] home country and also fighting in front of the Japanese fans made me really more powerful. The crowd really gave me power, and also when I got the win, every loss, even like against Adriano Moraes before, all paid off, and yeah, it gave me all the positive impact," Yuya Wakamatsu continued in the same exchange with SCMP.

Who leaves the Japanese capital as the flyweight MMA king? Share your predictions below!

Fight fans can purchase their PPV passes for ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri by visiting live.onefc.com. The world's largest martial arts organization's star-studded return to Japan features five world title fights and takes place inside the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

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Edited by Aziel Karthak