Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson will look to capture a second 125-pound title when he battles reigning division kingpin Adriano Moraes at the upcoming ONE Championship event this Weds. night (April 7, 2021) on TNT, live from Singapore.
Johnson, who turns 35 in August, is widely-considered to be the greatest flyweight fighter of all time, which is why “Mighty Mouse” laughed at the idea of being validated by UFC President Dana White with a big performance against the submission-savvy Moraes.
“I mean, it’s not important at all,” Johnson said in a video posted by Andrew Whitelaw (transcribed by Adam Martin). “I know and I think the world knows where my skill set is. I’ve shown it in my last fights. And I’m just going to go out there and do my thing. Obviously, you know (laughs), I’m not worried about showing anything to Dana White.”
Johnson (30-3-1) joined the Singapore-based combat sports organization back in early 2019 in what was effectively a cross-promotion trade for Ben Askren. “Mighty Mouse” has since racked up three straight wins to earn his inevitable title shot.
“Funky,” meanwhile, went 1-2 and bailed after getting finished in back-to-back fights.
As for Moraes (18-3), he recently wrapped up a pair of fights with flyweight nemesis Geje Eustaquio. After dropping a split decision to “Gravity” in January 2019, “Mikinho” bounced back to top the Filipino fighter by way of unanimous nod at “Pinnacle of Power” the following June.
If Johnson has anything to prove tomorrow night, it certainly won’t be to White.