Yuya Wakamatsu Reveals Advice He Received From MMA GOAT Demetrious Johnson
Former foes Yuya Wakamatsu and Demetrious Johnson shared some words after their bout in 2019.
Yuya Wakamatsu (15-4) revealed advice he received from the former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson – Johnson is regarding as one of the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.
“After I finished fighting with DJ, I asked him a lot of questions during our fighter’s trip in Phuket. I asked him how he was fighting. Before that, I really felt like I was going on a suicide mission. I had done what I had to do, so I was going to take him down and finish him off with one strong strike in 15 minutes. Even if I ran out of gas, that was the way I fought.”
“When I got to the top, I was using my head. Calmness, I mean. I always forget myself, and when I’m doing well, I’m good, but when I’m not, I fall down. This time as well, I was sick before the fight [with Hu Yong], but I kept myself steady and kept my mind focused on picking up this win, for sure. That’s what I learned from DJ.”
Wakamatsu defeated Yong Hu by unanimous decision at ONE Championship: Winter Warriors. The surging Japanese Phenom strengthened his claim for a World Title shot with a dominant victory in their flyweight mixed martial arts battle at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday, 3 December.
“I still remember it well. I really tried to relax and take deep breaths until just before the last minute. It is like when the bell rings, I focus on my opponent and concentrate for 15 minutes. I study every single fight. I’m not just a brawler. I have to think about it and face myself.”
Johnson (28-3-1) got the better of Yuya Wakamatsu in their bout. Johnson would win via second round of their flyweight grand prix tournament opening-round bout at “ONE Championship 92: A New Era.” Johnson got the finish at the 2:40 mark.
Following the defeat from Johnson, Wakamatsu would win five straight fights and now looks to have a shot at now champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes. The advice given to Wakamatsu helped him understand how to approach a fight and how to stay calm under pressure.
One of the greatest of all time handing down some advice to a surging prospect, what mixed martial arts should all be about.
