The Essential Things You Need to Know About the DJ-Adriano Moraes Rivalry Ahead of ONE Fight Night 10 Trilogy Showdown

Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes have been given the perfect stage to renew one of the most epic rivalries seen in ONE Championship in recent times. Their trilogy meeting, which goes down at ONE Fight Night 10 on Friday, May 5, will be the dazzling jewel in the crown of the Singapore-based promotion’s first-ever live event in the U.S.

The Johnson-Moraes series currently sits at one fight apiece, and before the rubber match goes down at 1stBank Center in Denver, Colorado, we present three essential pieces of information every fan should know about the intense rivalry so far.

#1 What’s At Stake For Both Superstars

Johnson is keen to add to his legacy as the MMA GOAT, and a successful ONE Flyweight World Title defense would help him tremendously in that cause. 

After being served the first knockout of his storied career at the hands of “Mikinho” when they met in 2019, the 13-time MMA World Champion secured the divisional strap with a cracking flying-knee finish when they rematched at ONE on Prime Video 1 in August last year.

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Meanwhile, Moraes is hungry to begin another reign as the division’s king, and defeating “Mighty Mouse” for a second time would put him well amongst the upper echelons of mixed martial artists.

#2 How The Bout Could Potentially Play Out 

Both men share the same goal – to hold the ONE Flyweight World Title. And with so much at stake at ONE’s on-ground debut in the U.S., their third battle is almost guaranteed to be even better than the first two. Johnson’s adaptability could be his key to victory. If he can force “Mikinko” to retreat behind his punches, he could set up a crucial takedown to bring his vast canvas skill into play.

Moraes, on the other hand, has the reach and range to make it difficult for the defending World Champion. If he can deliver the power with his fists, he could set up a finish with his sharp elbows and hammerfists.

#3 Their Submission Abilities

With two spectacular knockouts in the first two bouts, fans can rest assured that this third installment won’t go the distance. How the finish will come, though, is anybody’s guess. Yes, both fighters scored a devastating knee finish over the other in the first and second fights, but Moraes and Johnson’s vast grappling knowledge may become a factor when they meet for the rubber match.

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Johnson is intelligent when looking for submissions. He can hunt for rear-naked chokes or flying armbars, even from stand-up, which makes him a constant threat. But Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Moraes also has a variety of chokes, cranks, and locks in his arsenal that he can utilize at a moments notice. Should one of these flyweight superstars gain the advantage on the mat come May 5, we could see the heated headlining battle end by a tap.