Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sensation Diogo Reis revealed his championship mindset and approach ahead of his vacant ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title clash against Japan’s Daiki Yonekura at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The two-time ADCC World Champion discussed overcoming limited resources during his formative years while analyzing his Japanese opponent’s dangerous leg attack game.
Reis brings a remarkable 93-13 career record into this championship opportunity, having impressed in his promotional debut with a slick submission victory over Shoya Ishiguro in March 2025 that announced his arrival as a serious title contender.
Diogo Reis Credits Mental Strength for Rise
Training under Melqui Galvao, Diogo Reis opened up about the adversity he faced during his developmental years and how overcoming resource limitations shaped his mentality. The BJJ black belt emphasized that mental fortitude rather than physical advantages separated him from other competitors at the sport’s highest levels.
“What makes me different from the other athletes is my mind. Since I was a kid, I didn’t have big gyms or extra teachers. I’ve reached this level of jiu-jitsu with the minimum things,” Diogo Reis said.
The Brazilian has dominated competition over the past five years, establishing himself as one of the sport’s most prominent names through consistent performances against world-class opposition. His promotional debut submission victory over the surging Japanese black belt Ishiguro validated his credentials while building momentum toward this championship opportunity.
Diogo Reis Analyzes Japanese Opponent’s Dangerous Leg Game
“Baby Shark” demonstrated strong situational awareness when discussing the 29-year-old Yonekura, acknowledging the danger he poses while expressing confidence in his preparation. Reis revealed he studied Yonekura’s previous performances, including a notable victory over a Brazilian friend that provided valuable scouting information.
“I know he is one of the best in Japan. I saw him defeat my Brazilian friend. I’m ready to defeat him. I know he’s really good. He has good leg locks and foot locks, so he’s really good on that,” Diogo Reis offered.
The respectful assessment demonstrates championship maturity while highlighting specific dangers Yonekura presents. The Japanese grappler’s leg attack specialization requires careful defensive positioning and adjustments throughout the championship clash.
Brazilian Contender Reveals Specific Finishing Vision
Looking ahead to the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title showdown, Reis expressed the profound significance of capturing ONE Championship gold while revealing his preferred method for securing victory. He outlined a specific finishing scenario that would mark the perfect beginning to his reign as flyweight submission grappling king.
“Winning this belt is everything to me. [I’m grateful] ONE is giving me the opportunity. It’s one more big achievement in my career. I want to finish this fight by guillotine,” Diogo Reis said.
The bold prediction illustrates confidence in his ability to impose his game plan while providing fans with a specific scenario to anticipate. A guillotine finish would showcase the classical Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique while announcing “Baby Shark” as the division’s new champion in emphatic fashion.
ONE Fight Night 38 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, December 5. The action begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
