3 Fights To Make for ONE’s Debut Show in America, Headlined by Demetrious Johnson-Adriano Moraes Trilogy

ONE Championship’s debut show in the United States has been confirmed for Friday, May 5. Better still, headlining the card that emanates live from the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado, is a rivalry that has lit up the Circle over the past two years. 

Reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson will put his gold on the line against Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes. And based on their past two meetings, this third installment could offer a similarly exciting storyline.

In their first meeting, then-divisional king Moraes stunned the watching world as he knocked out the MMA GOAT with a knee to the head. When they ran it back at ONE on Prime Video 1 this past August, Johnson stunned the Brazilian fighter with a flying knee late in the fourth stanza.

It only makes sense for ONE to fill the undercards with some blockbuster fights to warm up the atmosphere for the Demetrious Johnson–Adriano Moraes trilogy.

So without further ado, here are three fights to make for ONE on Prime Video 10.

Christian Lee vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev 

Christian “The Warrior” Lee guarantees a star performance every time he steps inside the Circle. And a co-main event slot for the Singaporean-American star to defend his ONE Lightweight World Title wouldn’t sound too far-fetched.

Meanwhile, Saygid Izagakhmaev has ripped through the lightweight division with convincing wins over James Nakashima, Zhang Lipeng, and Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki. Understandably, he deserves a shot at Lee’s crown.

Both fighters own a ferocious ground game. And though Izagakhmaev hasn’t shown his striking credibility during his tenure so far, the Russian does in fact possess enough power to turn his rival’s lights off.

Read more: “I’m Ready for Everyone”- Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Stablemate Saygid Izagakhmaev Puts the Lightweight Division on Notice

With so little to separate both their skill sets, this match could end in a myriad of ways. More importantly, it could be the start of a lengthy rivalry between the two athletes.

Roberto Soldic vs. Murad Ramazanov

After an unfortunate ending to their clash at ONE on Prime Video 5 last week, the pair are eager to run it back. 

Unofficially, this tie between Roberto “Robocop” Soldic and Murad Ramazanov has been dubbed as a welterweight world title eliminator. Rightfully so.

Soldic arrived at the Singapore-based promotion with plenty of hype, and the Croat sensation wants to back that claims with a performance that could take him a step closer to Lee’s ONE Welterweight World Title.

Ramazanov, on the flip side, has been vying for a shot at the crown since he inked a deal with the promotion. And a crushing victory over “Robocop” could hand him that opportunity he has been longing for. 

Reinier de Ridder vs. Aung La N Sang

A trilogy middleweight showdown between Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder and “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang makes perfect sense for ONE’s debut show in the U.S.

The Myanmarese martial artist knocked out Yushin “Thunder” Okami in the first round at ONE 153 this past November and wants one of the two World Titles he once owned back in his cabinet.

He has already displayed some improvements in his game, and with 26 finishes already to his name – fans are guaranteed a fighter who will participate in a firefight.

De Ridder, on the other hand, would enter this match as the heavy favorite. But after succumbing to a loss to Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin last week, “The Burmese Python” will find comfort knowing there is a way to oust the grappling specialist.

Read more: Reinier De Ridder Gives Detailed Prediction for How He Will Beat Anatoly Malykhin at ONE on Prime Video 5

Both their past encounters ended in victory for the Dutch fighter, but Aung La N Sang is fired up to flip the script. And there’s no better card for them to renew their feud than ONE on Prime Video 10.