ONE X: Adriano Moraes laughs over Masvidal- Covington feud; says ‘I choose to be here’ because of respect between fighters
- Flyweight MMA champ in the party mood in Singapore after third-round submission of Yuya Wakamatsu – his 11th victory in ONE
- ‘ONE Championship have values. I grew up here and they helped me be the man I am today,’ Moraes says – ‘at the end of the show everybody loves each other’
He may not be the most heralded star of ONE Championship, but Adriano Moraes is unarguably one of the most decorated.
The ONE flyweight MMA champion retained his title with a third-round submission via guillotine choke of Yuya Wakamatsu on the “grand finale” of ONE X, Saturday’s 10th anniversary spectacular in Singapore.
The victory earned the 32-year-old Brazilian a newly designed title belt – or “26.4 pounds of precious gold” as Moraes’ boss Chatri Sityodtong put it – and a 20th career victory.
“I feel really gorgeous right now with this belt,” Moraes told a post-fight media scrum backstage at Singapore Indoor Stadium. “The feeling is the best.”
“But I prefer the old design,” he admitted, laughing. “It’s the most beautiful. I think the old design is really cool, I love it. I’m gonna keep them both.”