"It's who I am" - Japanese star Hiroki Akimoto says martial arts is not just a means to survive for him
Hiroki Akimoto struggles to pick out a reason as to why he became invested in martial arts.
Training and competing have become such an integral part of his life for so long that it's almost impossible for him to remember life before it.
The former ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion demonstrates that lifelong passion and pursuit every time that he steps inside the ring.
As one of the top Japanese strikers on the roster, Akimoto has achieved great things but that isn't to say that his best is behind him.
He returns in a huge match-up at ONE Friday Fights 81 where he takes on a fellow former world champion in Ilias Ennahachi.
Before he looks to rebound following his loss earlier this year, Akimoto spoke in a recent interview with ONE Championship about his journey in martial arts:
"There are various stories about why I started. If you ask me why I'm doing it now, I'm not sure. It's something I've been doing for so long that it's part of my life. It's who I am. I can't think of a specific reason."
Hiroki Akimoto has a lot to prove in this fight
Hiroki Akimoto made his return to ONE Championship earlier this year but his triumphant comeback did not go to plan.
The Japanese star came up short against Wei Rui at ONE Fight Night 22, which was decided by controversial scorecards.
When he returns to face Ilias Ennahachi at ONE Friday Fights 81 on September 27, he has the opportunity to change his fortunes against such a high caliber opponent.
By bouncing back with a win, he can reassert himself at the top of this weight class in the hopes of one day reclaiming the world championship that was once his.
ONE Friday Fights 81 will air live in Asian primetime via watch.onefc.com