LOOK: Yoshihiro Akiyama hangs out with BTS’ Jungkook, continues friendship they built over the past year

Japanese MMA legend Yoshihiro Akiyama has a special friendship with BTS star Jungkook, and the two recently hung out to have dinner together.

'Sexyama' and Jungkook have built a friendship over the past year-plus, even training together in the gym. The long-time MMA veteran promises to train with the South Korean singer again in the future, penning on Instagram:

"Thank you JUNGKOOK the other night, I had the best dinner time with you. He's so cool, cute, and polite. I always loved him, but since having dinner, I love him even more! We ate way too much though... haha Let‘s get together again soon! 💜 I promised to train again. 💜"

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Yoshihiro Akiyama talks importance of Shinya Aoki victory and ends feud with fellow Japanese legend

The 47-year-old veteran picked up a massive victory in his most recent appearance at ONE: X last March. Akiyama scored a TKO finish over former ONE lightweight champ Shinya Aoki in the very first round.

Afterward, Akiyama expressed the importance of the win in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. He said:

"This fight, in terms of all my athletic career and in MMA, is a big milestone for me because this fight put a spotlight on Japan."

Yoshihiro Akiyama added:

"He was requesting to fight as early as 14 years ago I remember. But there was the weight difference and I didn’t think much of him. But his demands over time became bigger and after I joined ONE Championship, he would measure every time. I just thought it was enough, I had enough,” said Akiyama."

The pair of Japanese legends had been eyeing a matchup against one another for over a decade—and it finally came to fruition in 2022. It was a showcase for Japanese mixed martial arts as a whole. 'Sexyama' is now 2-1 inside the circle with back-to-back stoppage wins over Sherif Mohamed and Aoki. His finish over Aoki earned him a well-deserved performance bonus as well.

Be sure to check back with Sportskeeda MMA for an announcement pertaining to Yoshihiro Akiyama's next fight, as he claims to plan to compete until he's 50 years old.

Watch Yoshihiro Akiyama spar with Jungkook below: