Adriano Moraes Exhumes Confidence Before World Title Clash At ONE 172: Takeru Vs. Rodtang

Add as a preferred source on Google

Some combat sports fans know Adriano Moraes as a former multiple-time ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion, others recognize him as the first and only fighter to finish MMA GOAT Demetrious Johnson.

The Brazilian great will now aim to capture the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title against dangerous Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang on 23 March. The crowning of the new flyweight kingpin happens at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

The belt has been vacant since September last year, when then-champion "Mighty Mouse" announced his retirement from the sport. Now, 36-year-old "Mikinho" enters the fight with confidence, aiming to further cement his legacy.

"If you see my numbers, I'm a finisher. I like to finish the fight. I have the most fights, the most finishes in the flyweight division and the most title wins," Moraes said.

"I always look to make a statement because in and out of ONE Championship, people are going to know my name, people are going to know my legacy, and I think that's the most important thing for us as fighters."

This will be Moraes' second encounter with Wakamatsu. The pair first clashed at the historic ONE X in March 2022. There, he dominated his Japanese rival, submitting him in the third round.

With an 11-5 record in ONE, "Mikinho" aims to reclaim the World Title with another submission victory. His most recent losses came at the hands of Johnson, who defeated him twice in a row. Now, he wants to show the world that he can still capture divisional gold.

"This fight is going to be the same result because I'm going to fight even better than our last fight, and I will be submitting him again, for sure," Moraes said.

"I don't have anything to prove anymore. I'm an eight-time ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion - with the most finishes. I just want to prove myself that I can still can win this title fight."