Yoshihiro Akiyama Announces 2025 Departure from ONE Championship

Yoshihiro Akiyama, also known as Choo Sung-hoon, recently announced he is out of contract with ONE Championship after six and a half years, expressing gratitude for the experiences gained. Despite being nearly 50, Akiyama has maintained a competitive presence in MMA, notably defeating Shinya Aoki in 2022 and continuing to fight bravely in various formats, including a challenging match in Tokyo in 2024. Meanwhile, UFC bantamweight fighter Sean O’Malley is preparing for his return at UFC 316 and has expressed a commitment to extend his fighting career as long as his body permits, having revamped his training and lifestyle after a championship loss and injury. O’Malley plans to transition into coaching post-retirement, inspired by mentors like Tim Welch and Khabib Nurmagomedov, with a goal to help future fighters achieve success. His recent lifestyle changes, including giving up partying and focusing on family, have led to improved mental clarity and closer relationships with his wife and daughter, who has begun training in Jiu-Jitsu under O’Malley’s coaching facility. Both fighters demonstrate a blend of longevity and dedication to the sport, with plans to contribute beyond their active fighting careers.