ONE Championship: Adriano Moraes promises Demetrious Johnson ‘no respect, no mercy’
- Moraes says mental side of preparations more important heading into February title fight with ‘legend’ Johnson
- ‘I need to finish him – the GOAT of MMA, in Singapore, no judges,’ says ONE flyweight champ
ONE Championship flyweight king Adriano Moraes has warned Demetrious Johnson there will be “no mercy” when they finally meet in the middle of the Circle in February.
“Mighty Mouse” (27-3-1) earned his shot at champ Moraes (18-3) by winning the flyweight grand prix at ONE: Century in Tokyo last October.
The highly anticipated showdown was originally set for Chongqing, China, in April this year before the coronavirus pandemic put paid to the Asian martial arts organisation’s schedule, but they will now headline a card on February 24.
“I’ve been prepared for this fight much more mentally than physically, because physically I really am ready, so I just need to care for myself mentally,” the Brazilian told SCMP MMA.
“This part I work on really hard – inside the ONE Circle there will be no respect, no mercy against the legend, I promise you guys.
“Man, I need to finish him, you know? He’s the ‘GOAT’ [greatest of all time] of MMA, in Singapore. No judges. But it’s gonna be a long night. He’s tough and everything, but I go to finish.”
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The 31-year-old “Mikinho” has not fought since a unanimous decision win to reclaim his title from Geje Eustaquio in January 2019, instead simply grinding away and working on his craft at the American Top Team gym in Florida.
He was merely an observer as Johnson made his ONE debut in Tokyo two months later, kicking off a run of three wins to capture the flyweight grand prix title.
“I’m really happy they rescheduled it,” Moraes added. “It’s a little bit far, but now we have a date. I will work really hard to put on a show. I have more eyes on me. I think this is gonna be a big opportunity and I’m just enjoying it.”
Moraes may be the champ but it is Johnson – holder of the record for most consecutive title defences in UFC history at 11 – who is favoured by many to walk away with the gold.
That’s no problem for Moraes.
“I’m really confident, too,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who they’re gonna put in front of me, I go into this match like I always have during my whole career.
“I’m really happy for this moment to fight against a legend. It’s time to shut up and fight. I can’t wait, two years off from the cage.”
