3 Tools That Will Power Demetrious Johnson to Victory Over Adriano Moraes

The biggest fight in flyweight MMA history is set to go down on May 5, live from 1stBank Center in Colorado, when reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson defends his belt against rival Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes in a trilogy fight.

This highly anticipated main event showdown at ONE Fight Night 10 – the promotion’s on-ground debut card in North America – will be Johnson’s opportunity to further cement his status as the greatest MMA fighter of all time. After going 1-1 with “Mikinho” and both bouts ending in a spectacular knockout, “Mighty Mouse” wants to put his stamp on the rivalry and retain his status as the divisional king. These are three key weapons Johnson could use to take out Moraes. 

 #1 Crafty Footwork 

 “Mighty Mouse” has some of the best, speediest footwork MMA has ever seen. Whether he is moving laterally to evade his opponent’s attack, darting in and out of the pocket to land his own strikes, or cutting angles to close the distance, Johnson is a flurry of motion and rarely a sitting target. 

Against Moraes, he’ll need to keep his footwork sharp as usual. Watch for Johnson to close the distance from a variety of angles and different stances to avoid the Brazilian’s dangerous counter-strikes. 

 #2 All-Around Grappling Game 

An incredibly well-rounded athlete, Johnson’s ability to hang with a world-class grappler like “Mikinho” will be key in the rubber match. Through over five rounds of high-paced action in their first two bouts, the American legend showed he could not only survive Moraes’ best ground attacks, but also find moments of success himself, particularly from the top position. 

 READ MORE – Reece McLaren Breaks Down Johnson-Moraes Trilogy Clash at ONE Fight Night 10

Look for Johnson to utilize his top-tier wrestling to bring the fight to the canvas on his own terms and, once he’s there, employ ground strikes and heavy pressure to wear down his rival. 

 #3 Elite Endurance 

 “Mighty Mouse” has been competing at the highest levels of the sport for over a decade and he’s proven time and time again to own one of the world’s best gas tanks. In his second fight with Moraes, Johnson used his incredible cardio as a weapon, picking up the pace in the third round before scoring a sensational knockout in the fourth.

 And because this bout will take place in the elevation of Denver, Colorado, cardio, pacing, and the ability to fight well into the championship rounds will be of the utmost importance.