Former flyweight MMA king Adriano Moraes says his source of motivation is different ahead of ONE 169 comeback

Adriano Moraes is in a new stage of his life and career
Adriano Moraes is in a new stage of his life and career [image via ONE Championship]

Former ONE flyweight MMA world champion Adriano Moraes returns to action at ONE 169, where he finds himself in a new phase of his career.

The Brazilian is a true veteran of this division and has already achieved so much during his long and storied career. After closing out his iconic trilogy with Demetrious Johnson last time out, Moraes is ready to start again on Nov. 8 when he faces Danny Kingad at Lumpinee Stadium.

This fight has huge stakes at play for the division following Johnson's retirement at ONE 168: Denver, which left the flyweight gold vacant.

However, Adriano Moraes revealed in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated that due to his history with the world championship, this is no longer his main focus:

"Like you said, I have been the champ for a long time, I have eight belts of ONE Championship. I think it's not the belt that motivates me any more."

Adriano Moraes wants to inspire his daughter

If becoming the world champion again isn't what motivates Adriano Moraes at this stage in his career, some fans may question what drives him.

The answer is simple, the elite mixed martial artist wants to inspire his daughter by creating a legacy that can stand on its own as a source of inspiration.

He told ONE Championship in a recent interview:

"I am definitely more motivated. I want to set an example. I want to show her that, with a lot of love and dedication, everything we do will work out. I want her to be proud of her father, of everything I have built and will continue to build for our family."

Moraes continued, explaining in further detail why this is his aim right now:

"I want her to one day be able to see my story, everything I went through to get here, and for this to serve as inspiration for her so that she can also achieve her dreams."

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Edited by Harvey Leonard
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