Adriano Moraes has already cemented his place in history as a multiple-time ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion. Now he wants to add to his legacy at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang in Japan’s Super Saitama Arena.
In an interview with ONE Championship,“Mikinho” detailed his long list of accomplishments at flyweight, which includes the most finishes in the division. One of those victims will be his opponent on Sunday, March 23 – Yuya Wakamatsu.
Against Wakamatsu, the Brazilian will vie for the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title. Although this won’t be the first time they’ve fought, Moraes plans on handing his old foe the same fate.
“This fight is going to be the same result because I’m going to fight even better than our last fight, and I will be submitting him again, for sure,” Moraes said, referring to his third-round submission win over Wakamatsu in March 2022.
After a lengthy career at the top of the mountain, it would be easy for Moraes to rest on his laurels. But it takes a special athlete to continue chasing greatness.
That is the kind of man Moraes is.
“I don’t have anything to prove anymore. I’m an eight-time ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion – with the most finishes. I just want to prove to myself that I can still win this title fight. I just want to prove to myself that I can still fight and show that the fire I have inside my heart is still burning,” the 36-year-old said.
One of Moraes’ next goals is to win the belt inside Saitama Super Arena in front of Wakamatsu’s compatriots, which he could check off his list on March 23.
While “Mikinho” has love for the Japanese audience, he has no problem playing spoiler to get the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title back around his waist. In fact, he enjoys that feeling.
“I have been doing it my whole career. I know what I have to do, and I’m going to do it,” Moraes said.
“I love to go to my opponent’s home and destroy their dreams. I don’t know why, but I feel like this kind of emotion gives me more pleasure.”
ONE 172: Rodtang vs. Takeru airs live on Sunday, March 23, from Japan on global pay-per-view via watch.onefc.com.
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