“I hope it continues to rise” - Demetrious Johnson excited for "growing" ONE flyweight division

'Mighty Mouse' Demetrious Johnson is highly impressed with the growth of the flyweight division in ONE Championship. The US-born athlete is the reigning ONE flyweight world champion and is keeping a close eye on his contenders.

On the division's development, the 36-year-old told ONE in an interview:

“Obviously, all the divisions are going to keep on growing. I think the biggest thing is that it’s always good to get new, fresh faces out there, in the division. I hope it continues to rise.”

Most notably, what stands out to him is rising Australian talent 'Lightning' Reece McLaren. The Australian has earned victories in both of his most recent two fights via stoppage and has now entered the top five.

Johnson is impressed with McLaren's skills. 'Mighty Mouse' Demetrious Johnson said:

“Reece McLaren, he’s right there. He’s a great athlete. He was in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix and came up short against Kairat Akhmetov. Yeah, his striking was good, man. I mean, I think if you spend enough time doing something, and working with John Wayne Parr, who has been a legend of striking, you’re only going to get better, right? He looked great.”

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Demetrious Johnson also impressed by bantamweight Fabricio Andrade

'Mighty Mouse' Demetrious Johnson has praise for both Reece McLaren and bantamweight contender Fabricio Andrade.

The Brazilian 'Wonder Boy' recently had a bout against MMA veteran 'Hands of Stone' John Lineker. In the contest, Andrade left an impression on 'Mighty Mouse'.

While speaking to Joe Rogan, Demetrious Johnson explained:

“He’s a nasty man. Fabricio Andrade, absolutely amazing, his fight with John Lineker. John Lineker, he throws punches straight, hardly. It’s usually the wild, winging punches, right? He was timing that hook.”

Even though Andrade's fight ended as a no contest due to an accidental foul, his performance thrilled viewers. Rogan commented:

“F**king beast man... F*cking beast. I’m like, look man, these guys are out there. He was putting the boots to Lineker.”

Catch the full podcast episode below:

In the continuously developing and growing flyweight division in ONE Championship, Johnson will be keeping a close eye on the upcoming Yuya Wakamatsu versus Woo Sung Hoon fight at ONE 163 on November 19.