With Demetrious Johnson’s legendary career ending in 2024, ONE Championship is set to crown a new flyweight king. At ONE 172, on Sunday, March 23, Adriano Moraes and Yuya Wakamatsu will meet for the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship. Moraes is planning to add to his extraordinary win total with yet another finish under his belt.
Adriano Moraes Hungry For a Win Inside the Distance at ONE 172
“If you see my numbers, I’m a finisher. I like to finish the fight. I have the most fights, the most finishes in the flyweight division and the most title wins. So, I always look to make a statement because in and out of ONE Championship, people are going to know my name, people are going to know my legacy, and I think that’s the most important thing for us as fighters,” Moraes told ONE.
The title tilt is just one of five slated for the stacked event. It will mark the second battle between the two, the first coming at ONE X in 2022 that “Mikinho” won. Although Wakamatsu has leveled up his game since then, Adriano Moraes predicts a similar end.
Battle for the CROWN 👑 Former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Adriano Moraes looks to reclaim the vacant throne in enemy territory in a rematch against Yuya Wakamatsu on March 23 at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang! Will "Little Piranha" avenge his loss and win gold, or will the… pic.twitter.com/YU1Dgji9Mw
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 16, 2024
Adriano Moraes Wants Wakamatsu to Tap Out Again
“This fight is going to be the same result because I’m going to fight even better than our last fight, and I will be submitting him again, for sure. It’s going to be, for me, for my fans, for my family, for everybody, it’s going to be amazing. For my career, it’s going to be a legendary win for sure, especially in Saitama Super Arena. It’s going to be like a dream come true,” the Brazilian stated.
The 36-year-old has remained at the top of the division. He is the only man to ever knock out Johnson when he delivered devastating knees to the ground against the pound-for-pound great. After a long career atop the sport, he enters ONE 172 without much left to prove.
Still, there is a motivation to achieve excellence. Adriano Moraes is no longer looking for validation from anyone other than himself. “Mikinho” is looking to reclaim his throne to show that he is still the man who carried the division for all those years.
“I don’t have anything to prove anymore. I’m an eight-time ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion – with the most finishes. I just want to prove to myself that I can still win this title fight. I just want to prove to myself that I can still fight and show that the fire I have inside my heart is still burning,” the former flyweight king commented.
Adriano Moraes Playing the Role of Heel
To claim the gold, Adriano Moraes must walk into hostile territory. “Little Piranha” will get the chance to win the title in front of a joyous crowd in Japan. But Moraes is not shaken by that prospect and is excited to compete in front of the Japanese audience.
“I’m excited to fight in front of the Japanese fans because the Japanese fans are some of the best in the world every time. When I watch some Japanese events and stuff, I see how the fans go to the stadium and celebrate with their favorite fighters. And Saitama Super Arena is a special arena, and I’m blessed to have this opportunity,” the title hopeful expressed.
Adriano Moraes Eager to Send Wakamatsu Supporters Home Unhappy
If anything, Adriano Moraes is looking forward to playing the role of spoiler. The former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion relishes the chance to ruin a special moment for his opponent and their fans. At ONE 172, Moraes is not afraid to be the bad guy.
“I have been doing it my whole career. I know what I have to do, and I’m going to do it. I love to go to my opponent’s home and destroy their dreams. I don’t know why, but I feel like this kind of emotion gives me more pleasure,” Adriano Moraes said.
How to Watch Adriano Moraes in Action vs. Wakamatsu in ONE 172 March 23
ONE 172: Rodtang vs. Takeru airs live on Sunday, March 23. The event emanates from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. ONE 172 is available via global pay-per-view on watch.onefc.com for $35.