ONE flyweight champ Adriano Moraes. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Champions are rarely the underdogs in their title fights.
ONE World flyweight champion Adriano Moraes, however, is in that predicament as he’s set to defend his title against the sport’s arguable greatest of all time in Demetrious Johnson.
Moraes (18-3) has held the title since January 2019 when he defeated rival Geje Eustaquio but Johnson, the ONE Flyweight Grand Prix champion, is his toughest foe probably of his career.
“For me, this is the best fight in the flyweight division in the world today,” said Moraes, who trains at the famed American Top Team, in an interview with ONE’s official website.
“If you could have one flyweight in the world to fight against the legend — who can beat DJ in a good way — it’s me. I believe that.”
Johnson (30-3) has the third most title fight wins in UFC history with 12 and has won his last three fights since moving on to ONE Championship.
“DJ is famous, but I don’t care about that. I just try to focus on me, focus on my path, and do what I need to do to go there and have my hand raised,” said the flyweight champion.
Moraes, for his part, has the second-most title fight wins in ONE Championship history with six just behind bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes.
Mikinho also admitted that he cheered for Johnson during the Grand Prix as he wanted to face Mighty Mouse for the flyweight strap.
“I was cheering for him to win the World Grand Prix [so I could] fight against him. You know his story — he was one of the best champions in one of the most famous organizations in the world,” said Moraes.
“Of course, people are going to put me as the underdog, but I don’t care. Everyone has their own story, and I just keep creating mine.”