Adriano Moraes Sees ONE US Debut As Dream Event

ONE Championship announced its plans to venture onto U.S. soil in 2023, and Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes couldn’t be happier to play his part at the top of the bill.

The organization will journey west to the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado, on Friday, 5 May, for ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III. On that day, the Brazilian will challenge for Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson’s ONE Flyweight World Title in a historic trilogy to cap off the promotion’s biggest night.

While it marks a milestone moment for The Home of Martial Arts, the significance of the event isn’t lost on the former ONE Flyweight World Champion either. He anticipates that the evening will be a dream moment for his career.

“I was very happy with the news that ONE Championship will be holding its first event in the United States. And I’m also very happy because I’m going to fight for the first time in the United States,” Moraes entailed. 

“I really like a quote by Demetrious Johnson where he said, ‘The greatest fighters have always fought on both sides of the world.’ I’ve fought in Brazil, I’ve fought in Asia, and now it’s time to fight in the United States. ONE certainly deserves the best as they work hard for the growth of the sport. I’m very excited and happy about it.”

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What makes this main event so special for ONE’s first American showcase is the affair the two flyweights have taken part in. Both men have held the divisional strap, with “Mikinho” having multiple reigns atop the mountain.

Not only that, but both men also became the first competitors to notch a knockout stoppage over each other, making for what will be a razor-close rubber match in Colorado.

It was “Mighty Mouse” who left with bragging rights in August and, heading into the trilogy, the Brazilian feels he has a point to prove.

“It was a big loss for my career,” Moraes expressed. “I learned a lot from that defeat. Especially because sharing the cage with one of the best fighters in the world is always a great learning experience. I always like to say that we earn a lot and learn a lot. 

“Making this trilogy means a lot to me. It’s an honor for me to be able to make history in MMA, facing an athlete like Demetrious Johnson – an athlete I never imagined I would face, and now I’m going to fight him for the third time. 

“It’s very rewarding to have this opportunity, and I’m very happy to be doing this trilogy against one of the best fighters in the world.”

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