‘The Biggest Rival Of My Career’ – Adriano Moraes Hard At Work For World Title Trilogy Fight With Demetrious Johnson
Adriano Moraes is deep in preparation for his third ONE Flyweight World Title battle with Demetrious Johnson, and he’s not leaving anything to chance on Friday, May 5.
After knocking out “Mighty Mouse” in their first clash, the division’s former king lost his crown in the same manner in the rematch. Now, the stakes could not be higher for their rubber match at ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video – the organization’s first show in the United States.
Although he’s already very familiar with his rival, “Mikinho” is not cutting any corners.
Instead, the Brazilian superstar is utilizing every bit of skill and expertise available at American Top Team ahead of this main event contest at 1stBank Center in Colorado.
Moraes told ONEFC.com:
“Because it is a trilogy, the preparation is more detailed because we know each other well, but it is intense training the same way [as with any other opponent].
“I have great training partners and coaches that help me every day. Katel Kubis for Muay Thai, Steve Mocco and Mike Brown for wrestling, Pitu and Gabriel de Oliveira in boxing, Marcos ‘Parrumpinha’ and Rani Yahya in jiu-jitsu.
“‘Cobrinha’ came here and helped, and ‘Buchecha’ helps me in grappling as well. In MMA there is Pedro Munhoz, Alexandre Pantoja, and other guys who help me a lot.”
As well as leaning on his world-class support system at the famous Florida gym, Moraes has already made a trip to Colorado to get a feel for the elevation in the mountainous U.S. state.
Again calling upon the vast knowledge around him, “Mikinho” traveled to Denver to acclimatize and ensure he’s physically ready for a potential five-round World Championship clash.
He explained:
“I gave a seminar there [recently] and spent a few days tuning in and setting myself with the altitude. I plan to go a few weeks earlier so as not to be caught by surprise with the altitude that everyone talks about.
“I have some training partners who have already fought there and told me about the altitude of Colorado. It’s all planned. My brother [Jorge] Masvidal has already fought there and gave me some tips.”
Moraes Aims For Historic Victory At ONE’s U.S. Debut
Adriano Moraes is putting everything into his ONE Fight Night 10 training camp because he knows his opponent is a true GOAT of MMA.
Tied at 1-1 and with both men suffering the only stoppage defeats of their careers to one another, it’s already an epic rivalry.
And with his third matchup against Demetrious Johnson less than a month away, “Mikinho” knows their head-to-head clashes will go down as a defining era of his martial arts journey:
“I consider Johnson the biggest rival of my career. He is considered the best in the world and also in the history of this division. He was my greatest victory, and at the same time, my greatest defeat.”
While he desperately wants to regain the ONE Flyweight World Title, Moraes knows that he can also etch his name into the history books on May 5.
The stacked ONE Fight Night 10 card is ONE Championship’s North American debut, and he’ll be facing one of the USA’s most iconic mixed martial artists in the evening’s headline affair.
With all that in mind, the 34-year-old Brasilia native would love to crown a monumental occasion by taking back the gold.
Moraes added:
“I was the first World Champion of ONE’s flyweight category. I’m glad to be one of the pillars of the division and to be in the main event of the first ONE Championship event in the U.S. It will be very significant to beat him here.”
