Reece McLaren is looking to fight the best of the best when he’s done with his next outing. ‘Lightning’ is set to face streaking Chinese star Hu Yong in a flyweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 22 on Friday, May 3, inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Currently the #4-ranked fighter in the division, McLaren suffered a tough unanimous decision loss to former world titleholder Kairat Akhmetov in his last outing. However, ‘The Kazakh’ was found to be using a banned substance in an out-of-competition test less than two weeks after their bout. Though McLaren’s call to make their bout a no-contest was unsuccessful, he still believes that his current rise in the division warrants a shot at current ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion, Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson. And McLaren is using some creative methods to ensure he gets to fight the MMA legend before he calls it quits.

Reece Mclaren derided Demetrious Johnson in DMs

Speaking to The Inner Sanctum, the Australian fighter shared how and why he shot his shot at getting a World Title opportunity through social media. “So I slid into his DMs and was like ‘Hey DJ, what are you doing, are you retiring?’ Basically, I called him an old man,” he said.

“I’m just in a very frustrating spot where DJ’s kind of holding up the division, he’s either got to fight or retire, he keeps talking retirement, he’s done, he’s the greatest of all time. That’s the next fight that I hope he gets offered and we get offered and it’s up to him then to either accept or give it up,” he added.

And there is good reason for the Australian to be in a hurry and use all of the tricks he can use to secure a clash with Johnson. After all, ‘Mighty Mouse’ may be close to calling it quits, and has indicated as such since last year.

Johnson looking to retire soon

Johnson last fought at ONE Fight Night 10 in May last year, where he closed his epic trilogy with Adriano Moraes with a five-round masterpiece. Leading up to the fight, ‘Mighty Mouse’ had hinted at retirement, but did not close the book on a return after his win.

With the end of the American MMA legend’s career a very near possibility, contenders have lined up to get a chance to test their skills against him, including McLaren. However, the CMBT Training Centre representative needs to get past the #5-ranked Hu in order to further legitimize his shot at gold.

He will come in with a ton of confidence as an improved striker from his time with the legendary John Wayne Parr at Boonchu Gym and a revitalized all-around game from his new gym. “If you’re a fan of me or not a fan of me, too bad, cause the monster’s coming, and it’s going to be a one-sided bashing,” ‘DJ’ said after his last ONE appearance.

What are your thoughts on McLaren wanting to fight Johnson?