ONE Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson defeated Adriano Moraes by unanimous decision on Friday. (Photo courtesy of ONE Championship)
Demetrious Johnson is 36 years old and nearing the end of his great MMA career. But his condition is still elite and that’s what led him to victory in his rubber match with Adriano Moraes on Friday in the main event of ONE Championship’s US debut.
Johnson slowly collapsed Moraes using knees and won the exchange in the clinch. Referee Herb Dean constantly urged the fighters to work and gave Moraes a harsh warning that he should hold third place.
But Johnson kept working all the way, scoring an expert unanimous decision victory to retain his ONE flyweight title at First Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado in what may have been the last fight of his illustrious career. Johnson said he has not yet decided whether he will continue fighting.
After asking the crowd if he wanted to fight again – and it was an enthusiastic yes – Johnson said: “I need to speak to my wife first. I’ll get back to you. This is a discussion behind closed doors.”
Moraes stopped Johnson with a knee in 2021, and Johnson won it back with a knee himself in 2022. Neither fighter was in danger of finishing Friday, but Moraes gasped and had no response in the clinch.
Johnson repeatedly hit him in the body with knees and caught him with many elbows as Moraes tried to move away.
“I don’t think there’s another person in mixed martial arts that has a better clinch game than me,” Johnson said in a rare moment of bravery for him.
Moraes impressed Johnson with his ability to take the knees he was constantly pounding with.
“His body is so durable [because] I messed up that body, man,” Johnson said. “I fucking beat it out.”
Moraes never showed any sign of trouble, although his empty gas tank at the end was undoubtedly the result of Johnson’s attack on his midsection.
Johnson made it clear he remains one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but whether he will do it again remains unknown. However, he did give a hint that he would be considering at least one more.
When asked if he would fight again, he said he spoke to his family and then yelled, “Show me the money!”
If there’s a financial deal, Johnson might not be ready after all. When he is, he’ll kick off on a high note, reminding everyone of his cage genius and all-around ability.