“I’m kinda glad he left” - Reece McLaren admits he felt relieved after Demetrious Johnson retired and vacated flyweight MMA belt

Reece McLaren is as real as it gets. The fourth-ranked flyweight MMA contender recently addressed the retirement of the division's ruler Demetrious Johnson, who will go down as one of the greatest of all time to ever don the four-ounce gloves.

While 'Lightning' congratulated 'Mighty Mouse' for his legendary career, he won't pretend that he didn't feel a sense of relief now that Johnson is no longer the flyweight MMA world champion.

Reece McLaren told the Bangkok Post's Nick Atkin in ONE Fight Night 26 pre-event interview:

"Look man, everyone’s like 'Oh, I want to fight DJ' There’s legacy and stuff, man. I’m the realest guy here, DJ’s the absolute greatest. I’m kinda glad he left. When he came over, I was like 'Ah, God damn it, this pool just got a lot deeper!”

With Demetrious Johnson walking into the sunset, the 135-pound MMA title is indeed wide open for the taking. It's an opportunity for McLaren, one of the division's mainstays, to seize the moment and make his case for the vacant flyweight MMA throne.

The 33-year-old Australian wants to prove he is 'DJ's heir apparent with a spectacular performance against Jarred Brooks in less than 24 hours.

Watch the full interview:

Reece McLaren guarantees violence at ONE Fight Night 26

Reece McLaren needs a statement-making performance to get his shot at 26 pounds of gold. There's certainly no better way to prove his worth than by beating interim strawweight MMA king Jarred Brooks, who's making his first foray into the 135-pound division.

'Lightning' and 'The Monkey God's' possible world-title eliminator will take place inside the hallowed grounds of Bangkok's iconic Lumpinee Stadium on Dec. 6, live in US Primetime.

In the same interview, the CMBT Training Centre affiliate vowed to unleash a frenetic pace from start to finish.

"I’m going to be absolutely honest man. It’s a five-week camp, four weeks of hard work. I don’t think you’re getting the best Reece but you’re going to get the most violent."

ONE Fight Night 26 is free for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.