The main event athletes of ONE Championship‘s first primetime card, ONE on TNT I, joined a conference call and sounded off this week. ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes was more than confident that he will topple Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson on April 7.
Adriano Moraes will finish DJ with ‘special move’
The event, which will air following AEW Dynamite, is headlined by the long-awaited flyweight title tilt.
Johnson earned the title shot by winning the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix and beginning his ONE career with three-straight victories while Moraes recaptured the gold from Geje Eustaquio in January 2019.
Moraes, a three-time ONE flyweight king, holds Johnson in high regard but will not be deterred by his status as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all-time.
Moraes said, “DJ is DJ, he’s a legend win or lose – I’m gonna go and do my best, try to finish him all the time.”
Muay Thai is the gameplan for Adriano Moraes
“My gameplan is to use my Muay Thai, my elbows, my knees, and everything and finish him.”
Johnson’s three-bout run through the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix saw him take care of Yuya Wakamatsu, Tatsumitsu Wada, and Danny Kingad in the span of seven months. But due to COVID-19, the title bout he earned was pushed into 2021, with both men getting over a year to prepare for the contest.
The Washington native knows the challenge that awaits him in Moraes and beyond should he win. “Mighty Mouse” remarked on the depths of the talent in the division and his matchup with “Mikinho.”
“The talent pool in ONE is full. I mean, it’s stacked – they’re all monsters,” said Johnson.
“Adriano Moraes poses a lot of problems; he’s long, a great grappler & has unorthodox striking.”
Adriano Moraes wants to finish Demetrious Johnson in flashy fashion
Those problems have seen Moraes finish 12 of his opponents, nine by submission. And the Brazilian standout wants to add Johnson to that list by taking a page out of Johnson’s own book of creativity.
“I wanna finish him with a special move,” stated Moraes.
“I’m the champion, every time I defend my throne, it’s gonna be a special fight, and this time it’s gonna be against a legend – I’m gonna do good, put on a show, and finish him in a very good way.”
After more than a year of anticipation, the ONE Flyweight World Championship will finally be on the line on TNT in primetime. ONE on TNT I promises to be a must-see affair between two of the finest athletes on the planet.
Circle April 7 on your calendar right now.
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