Demetrious Johnson is once again at the top of the mountain and he’s already welcoming his next challenger.
In the main event of ONE on Prime Video 1 in Singapore on Saturday, Johnson avenged the lone knockout loss of his career by finishing Adriano Moraes with a walk-off knee KO in the fourth round to capture the ONE Championship flyweight title. Johnson had previously won a grand prix inside the ONE cage and is best known for his six-year run as the UFC’s flyweight champion.
Johnson was asked whether he’d prefer a trilogy bout with Moraes or a fight with No. In a post-fight interview, Johnson was asked if he would prefer a trilogy bout with Moraes or fought alongside No.
“You’re welcome to give Kairat Akhmetov a shot, but that’s only up to ONE Championship,” Johnson stated. At the start of this I had no idea I would get a title shot. I thought after I beat Rodtang I was going to go down to fight whoever was next in line, work my way back up the ladder, but Kairat Akhmetov, mad respect to him, he’s on, like, a five- or six-fight win streak.
” I thought that he would get the title shot against Adriano. But they called me and asked who this was and I replied, “OK.” It sounds good .'”
Moraes has a strong case for an immediate third fight having defeated Johnson by second-round KO in April 2021. Johnson responded by submitting Rodtang Jitmuangnon to Johnson in an MMA/muay Thai Special Rules Match this March, before being called back to face Moraes again.
The argument for Akhmetov being Johnson’s first challenge stems from his impressive 29-2 record and wins in his past five fights. Akhmetov, a former ONE flyweight champion holds a win in the title fight over Moraes starting November 2015.
Whatever is next, Johnson took a moment Saturday to appreciate his latest legendary feat.
” Johnson replied, “It’s up there,” when Johnson was asked about his favourite moment of his career. I have never attempted a walk off knockout. I’ve done a high kick like Mirko Cro Cop, I’ve done a liver shot, I’ve done a right hand against Joseph Benavidez, so like I said, I’m just grateful and blessed to be in the position I am in.
“Nothing but respect to Adriano. Both of us have been the recipients of knockouts. He’ll go home. I know he will. I’ll go home, make adjustments, and rest up, and then if it’s Adriano next or or if it’s Kairat Akhmetov, it is what it is.”
Johnson finished Moraes’ rematch by ending it with a stunning knee knockout. This was similar to Johnson’s first encounter. However, Johnson won’t oversell the poetry of the moment nor will he allow himself to get too high after avenging a loss.
“A knee with a knee, I don’t really think about that,” Johnson said. Johnson said, “I am just happy. I’m thankful to be able to put him down.” It was an amazing fight. He hit me with some good shots. He had me, he was trying to go for a D’Arce, he had me on the ground landing good knees to the head. It was going to be tough. This is what I love most about competing. There’s a part of me where I hate pressure, I hate all of the eyeballs on me. And there’s a part of me that’s like, ‘Yeah, f*** yeah, let’s go and let’s see how hard we can push it. Let’s see if we can push ourselves to that breaking point.
“I had great words with Adriano. I am at the stage in my life where I want to just have fun. If I win, I win, if I lose, I lose, I’m not going to let the outcomes of the wins or my losses dictate my life. If I were on the receiving end , I would maintain the same energy and demeanor as I do now
