Following an surprising 18-month layoff, former ONE flyweight champion Adriano Moraes is lastly able to make his return to motion with a battle booked towards Danny Kingad on Friday at ONE 169.
The lengthy absence adopted a trilogy of fights towards Demetrious Johnson the place Moraes turned the primary particular person in historical past to complete the previous UFC champion earlier than falling of their subsequent two encounters. Johnson truly sat on his ultimate win over Moraes for over a 12 months earlier than lastly saying his retirement from the game in September.
Whereas they could have been skilled rivals within the cage, Moraes had nothing however reward for Johnson when addressing his former foe after he known as it a profession.
“I used to be completely satisfied for him,” Moraes instructed MMA Combating. “I feel he achieved a number of issues in his profession. I feel for him it was nice to cease on the high of the division, on the high of his profession. I feel for him, he did every little thing he may to be one of many best of all time and he had a very nice profession. I feel he wished to cease on high of his profession.
“He was the man who opened the division for all of us flyweight fighters on this division. I bear in mind I used to be a giant fan of him for certain, I adopted his profession from the start. So for me to have this trilogy towards him was superb. To be a part of his legacy and him to be a part of my legacy. For me, it was the most effective issues to ever occur. To be the primary man to complete him for me, for my legacy, it’s actually nice.”
As a lot as Moraes needs Johnson properly in no matter he does subsequent, the Brazilian isn’t completely satisfied that “Mighty Mouse” received’t get that itch to compete once more.
In a sport the place it looks as if no one ever stays retired, Moraes can’t assist however marvel if maybe Johnson may ultimately resolve to come back again for one more battle.
“For me, it doesn’t matter [if we fight again],” Moraes mentioned. “I simply should deal with my means however one thing tells me he’s going to come back again. If I seize the belt once more, possibly he can come again and we could have our fourth dance.”
When requested about Moraes’ feedback, Johnson truly burst out laughing however not as a result of he was mocking his former opponent.
As an alternative, Johnson made it clear that he’s resolved in his choice to remain retired and ready for over a 12 months after his final battle earlier than making that announcement gave him time to see if he bought the will to compete once more. By the point he declared that he was hanging up his gloves for good, Johnson knew definitively that he was executed and there was no probability he was coming again.
“That was the entire level [about waiting],” Johnson instructed MMA Combating. “Clearly everyone has so many various issues happening of their life. I do know Donald Cerrone … he’s executed films, he’s bought his ranch, he’s bought his kids, he does scuba diving, he does so [many] issues in his life that preserve him busy. So possibly he desires to come back again to get that fifty fights within the UFC.
“For me, blended martial arts, competing, I get enjoyment out of doing it in jiu-jitsu and going into IBJJF and doing that stuff. So for me, I simply don’t see a degree to coming again.”
For now it doesn’t actually matter if Johnson ever fights once more as a result of he’s not lively and he already relinquished the ONE flyweight title on his means out the door.
In an ideal world, Moraes could be preventing for that belt on Friday however sadly that simply wasn’t within the plans for ONE Championship simply but.
“I don’t know [why this fight isn’t for the title] but it surely’s not relying on me,” Moraes mentioned. “It’s relying on the boss of the home.
“As an athlete, I’ve to coach and put together and battle every little thing they name me. I already defended my belt years in the past towards Danny Kingad. I feel the belt ought to be on the road for certain however let’s see [what happens].”
