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Former flyweight champ Adriano Moraes believes Demetrious Johnson is just borrowing his world title—and he's ready to take it back.
The Brazilian defended his throne by finishing 'Mighty Mouse' in the second round of their first meeting back in April 2021. Johnson returned with a vengeance to finally claim his first piece of ONE Championship gold in their rematch.
They'll now settle the score for good in an insanely-anticipated trilogy bout. Adriano Moraes says he's ready to get his borrowed belt back from Johnson, telling SCMP MMA:
"Yes, I’d like to say. My first belt I [lent] to Geje Eustaquio, for us to make a nice event in Manila. The second time, I [lent] my title to Kairat Akhmetov for us to make an amazing event in Macau. Now, I [lent] my title to the GOAT Demetrious Johnson, for us to make a nice event in the U.S. I’ll be back stronger to take my belt back."
Adriano Moraes reveals he wasn't 100% in his second fight with 'Mighty Mouse'
'Mikinho' wasn't at his best in the rematch with Demetrious Johnson, even failing the hydration test in the fight's lead-up. Moraes recently revealed to ONE that he wasn't at 100% on fight night, stating:
“Unfortunately, for my first time ever I missed my hydration test for the first time. When I came back to make the weight and didn't lose my world title on the scale, I gave my best one day before. I got my body really exhausted. When I think of the fight, in the championship rounds, I felt it a little bit. Demetrious Johnson just enjoyed this opportunity very well.”
If Moraes is able to win the rubber match, it'll be one of the biggest victories in ONE Championship history. The Brazilian is already the only fighter to ever finish 'Mighty Mouse'—an incredible feat.
Make sure to tune in to ONE Fight Night 10 on May 5 to watch Adriano Moraes challenge Demetrious 'Mighty Mouse' Johnson for the flyweight world title, live from the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado. The entire event will be live and free to watch for North American audiences with an active Prime Video subscription.
Watch the South China Morning Post's full interview with Adriano Moraes below:
