The two-time ADCC world champion discussed overcoming limited resources during his formative years as he analyzed his Japanese opponent’s dangerous leg attack game.
Reis brings a remarkable career record of 93-13 into this championship bid, having impressed in his promotional debut with a slick win over Shoya Ishiguro in March 2025, announcing his arrival as a serious title contender.
Diogo Reis credits mental strength for emergence
Diogo Reis trained under Melqui Galvao and talked about the adversities he faced during his development years and how overcoming limited resources shaped his mentality. The BJJ black belt emphasized that mental strength 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 child, I didn’t have big gyms or extra teachers. I reached this level of jiu-jitsu with a minimum of things,” said Diogo Reis.
The Brazilian has dominated the competition over the past five years, establishing himself as one of the sport’s most prominent names through consistent performances against world-class opponents. His victory in his promotional debut over rising Japanese black belt Ishiguro cemented his credentials as he built momentum for this championship shot.
Diogo Reis analyzes the dangerous leg game of the Japanese opponent
“Baby Shark” showed strong situational awareness when discussing the 29-year-old Yonekura, acknowledging the danger he poses while expressing confidence in his preparation. Reis revealed that he had studied Yonekura’s past achievements, 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 beat my Brazilian friend. I am ready to beat him. I know he is very good. He has good leg and foot locks, so he is really good at that,” Diogo Reis offered.
The respectful assessment demonstrates the maturity of the championship while highlighting the specific dangers Yonekura poses. The Japanese wrestler’s leg attack specialization requires careful defensive positioning and adjustments during the championship match.
Brazilian participant 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 as he revealed his preferred method for secure the victory. He outlined a specific finishing scenario that would mark the perfect start to his reign as flyweight submission king.
“Winning this title means everything to me. [I’m grateful] ONE gives me the chance. It is another great achievement in my career. I want to end this fight with a guillotine,” said Diogo Reis.
The bold prediction illustrates the confidence in his ability to impose his game plan while giving fans a specific scenario to anticipate. A guillotine finish would showcase classic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique while emphatically announcing “Baby Shark” as the new champion of the division.
ONE Fight Night 38 will air live on Prime Video on Friday, December 5. The action starts at 9pm ET/6pm PT. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the US and Canada.
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