ONE Flyweight World Title Bout Announced For ONE: REIGN OF DYNASTIES
A battle of flyweight kings has been confirmed for ONE Championship’s debut in Chongqing, China.
On Saturday, 11 April, ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes will defend his coveted belt against ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson at ONE: REIGN OF DYNASTIES.
The news was announced earlier by ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong on his Facebook page.
BREAKING NEWS: Demetrious Johnson (30-3) will challenge ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes (18-3) for the world title on April 11 in China!
Posted by Chatri Sityodtong on Sunday, January 12, 2020
The last time Moraes competed on the global stage was back in January 2019.
He squared off against longtime rival, then-titleholder Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, in a trilogy bout for the gold at ONE: HERO’S ASCENT.
After five thrilling rounds, which included a rarely-seen Suloev Stretch attempt in the fourth stanza, the 31-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist won the rubber match via unanimous decision to reclaim the ONE Flyweight World Championship.
However, instead of quickly defending his newly-won title, Moraes waited for the forthcoming ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix to unfold and see who his next challenger would be.
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In late March, the eight-man tournament kicked off, and all eyes were on Johnson.
The 33-year-old American legend made his highly-anticipated promotional debut against Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu at ONE: A NEW ERA and submitted the Japanese striker via guillotine choke in the second frame.
Johnson followed that up by defeating Wakamatsu’s countryman, Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada, via unanimous decision in the semifinals at ONE: DAWN OF HEROES in August. That victory moved the Washington native to the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Championship Final.
He collided with Danny “The King” Kingad in the tournament finale at ONE: CENTURY PART I in October and, after three rounds, he beat the Filipino hero via unanimous decision to capture the silver belt and secure his World Title bout with Moraes.
More matches for ONE: REIGN OF DYNASTIES will be revealed in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, keep an eye on ONEFC.com for more breaking news and bout announcements.