Last Wednesday, ONE Championship made their debut on TNT which saw flyweight champion Adriano Moraes upset former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, knocking “Mighty Mouse” down with an uppercut and then finishing off the legend with a brutal knee to the head. The KO, which was entirely legal under the ONE Championship ruleset, was the biggest win of Moraes’ career and cemented his hold on the flyweight title. And even though the outcome was without controversy, Moraes says he’s willing to Johnson another shot at the belt, considering all he’s done for the sport.

“I know Demetrious Johnson is the GOAT, the greatest of all time,” Moraes told MMAJunkie. “I think if the company thinks he deserves a rematch, of course we’re gonna give him a rematch. But we have a lot of killers here in the flyweight division who I think deserve the shot. For me, I’m gonna keep my focus on my path. I’m gonna rest a little bit and come back to the gym and start all over again, and let’s see what’s gonna happen. The flyweight division here in ONE Championship is so dynamic, there are a lot of fighters, so I don’t know what’s gonna happen.

“Let’s see after this, Moraes vs. Johnson 2. I think it makes sense, he deserves it, he’s the GOAT and let’s go. I can’t wait.”

Johnson seems less focused on a rematch, at least for now. Speaking with media after the loss, Johnson said that he knows he doesn’t deserve another title shot right away and instead will focus on working his way back to the belt, or perhaps take a kickboxing bout for fun, noting that with his legacy already entirely secure, he feels less pressure to constantly pursue titles. For Moraes’ part, Johnson’s legacy includes creating these opportunities for Moraes himself.

“Thank you to him to open the doors for us at the flyweight division,” Moraes said. “Every athlete in the flyweight division should be thankful to Demetrious Johnson for opening the doors to us. …

“The flyweight division was created just because of Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez. As a big fan of MMA and, of course, I practice this sport, I know that. I remember that time when they created the flyweight division, they both were the fighters to fight for the first UFC flyweight belt, so when I saw that, I decided to drop down to flyweight. That’s why I made my stories in the flyweight division because DJ and Joseph Benavidez started the division. So that’s why a lot of flyweight athletes need to be thankful to have these two big warriors of the flyweight division open these doors for us.”

Johnson is widely considered the greatest flyweight of all time and is frequently mentioned in the discussion for greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time. Moraes is the three-time ONE Championship flyweight champion.

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VIDEO STEW

Throwback.

Best of Valentina Shevchenko.

Gastelum bonus resume.

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LISTEN UP

Man and the MITH. Discussing Vettori-Holland and the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix.

UFC Unfiltered. An interview with Georges St-Pierre.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Thirsty.

The beef continues.

Lose.

Call out.

Response.

Ready.

Brunson.

Pickleball.

Fight poster.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Diego Ferreira (17-3) vs. Gregor Gillespie (13-1); UFC Fight Night, May 8.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

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EXIT POLL

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