Adriano Moraes Vows To Be More Aggressive And Reclaim Gold

Former flyweight king Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes is determined to regain his crown in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

He takes on longtime Filipino rival, ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, in the main event of ONE: HERO’S ASCENT on Friday, 25 January in Manila, Philippines. 

When the bell rings at the Mall Of Asia Arena, it will be the third time the pair has duked it out in The Home Of Martial Arts, but despite the intensity of the battles these two men have shared in the ring and cage, theirs is a trilogy built on respect.

“[Eustaquio] is an amazing fighter, and he’s an amazing man,” Moraes says.

“For me, it’s an honor to fight with him one more time in the first trilogy of my career.”

At ONE: RISE OF THE KINGDOM in September 2014, the rivalry began. “Mikinho” submitted Eustaquio with a guillotine choke in the second round to claim the inaugural ONE Flyweight World Title.

Four years down the line and with the interim belt around his waist, “Gravity” got his chance to even up the score at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER. He edged out the Brazilian via split decision to become the division’s undisputed ruler.

It was a close encounter, and when it was time for the judges to render a decision, Moraes was sure he had done enough.

“I knew I did really good work in the fight,” says the American Top Team athlete.

“My grappling worked very well, I landed a lot of takedowns on him, and my ground game was good.

“I lost my belt the first time by split decision [against Kairat Akhmetov], and it happened again. I just had to pick up my pieces, go home, and try to do it again.”

“Mikinho” responded emphatically the first time. He went on a four-bout tear, which included a dominant decision win in his World Title rematch with “The Kazakh.”

His intention is the same this time in the rubber match against the Team Lakay man — return stronger, and more dominant. He knows he has to up the ante in the Philippines.

“For this fight, I will be more aggressive,” he explains.

“Sometimes I do too much jiu-jitsu, and I am too relaxed, but in mixed martial arts you have to be aggressive.”

The grappler from Brasilia is putting the onus on his own improvements so he can deliver a championship-worthy performance to take the judges out of the equation in “Gravity’s” home country.

He has a lot of respect for an “incredible” foe he now calls a friend, but he will not let any affection get in the way when they face each other again. He is focused on his mission to take care of business inside the Mall Of Asia Arena and bring the belt back to where he believes it belongs.

“I will go and display more aggression, and more moves. I want to display to the world how I’m the champion. I’m ready to do my best,” Moraes adds.

“Me and Geje, we are in the history of the flyweight division. I feel blessed for us to have our dance for the title.

“I believe in myself, and I have faith that I will bring this belt back home.”

With so much happening in the flyweight division, including the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix, and the addition of Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson to the ranks, “Mikinho” believes that he should be the one to fly the flag for the promotion against new challengers – as a tenured warrior in The Home Of Martial Arts.

“For me, I need to defend ONE Championship. I’m the best flyweight in ONE, to represent Asia,” Moraes says.

“He came from America to Asia, and I need to defend our throne here. He’s the best in the world. He’s very good, but I’m very good too, and I can’t wait to prove myself against him.”

Moraes has a huge assignment to deal with first on 25 January, but the five-time ONE Flyweight World Champion is confident he can assert himself as the division’s undisputed leader once again, and begin an unprecedented third reign with the belt.