Demetrious Johnson’s flying-knee knockout of Adriano Moraes tops ONE’s 2022 KOs
At ONE on Prime Video 1, Demetrious Johnson flipped the script on Adriano Moraes by avenging his loss a year prior.
Awarded the ONE Championship MMA KO of the Year, ‘Mighty Mouse’ soared through the air after hurting the defending champion, catching him with a flying knee that closed the show.
With the year-defining result, Johnson avenged his loss, won a bonus, became the flyweight world champion, and secured KO of the Year.
After Johnson had been finished for the very first time in their first meeting with a knee strike from Moraes, their rematch was set to be one of the most highly anticipated contests in ONE Championship history.
Demetrious Johnson was forced to stay extremely patient in the rematch, but once he saw his opportunity, he took it. Timing the knee to perfection, Johnson knew as soon as it landed that fight was over, walking away from his opponent before the referee even had time to step in.
Adding a spectacular knockout to his resume, ONE on Prime Video 1 became yet another stellar night in DJ’s legendary career.
At ONE on Prime Video 10, Johnson and Moraes will face off in a huge trilogy fight. The event marks the US debut of ONE Championship, an occasion befitting of its blockbuster main event.
WATCH: Adriano Moraes knocks out Demetrious Johnson with epic knee in their first fight
Adriano Moraes and Demetrious Johnson have created an iconic rivalry over the ONE Championship flyweight title. Over the past two years, both men have produced legendary finishes that have built up to their third fight this spring in the United States.
As the two elite flyweights prepare for battle, fans can now check out the first of their two fights, when Adriano Moraes put his world title on the line against Johnson at ONE on TNT 1 in 2021.
ONE Championship has uploaded the bout in its entirety to its YouTube channel.
Watch Moraes vs. Johnson 1 below:
As both men felt each other out early on in the fight, it became clear the story was the pressure of Johnson vs. the power of his opponent.
After Moraes got the better of the action in the opening round, Johnson once again came out and tried to put the pressure on his opponent but he was dropped by a huge uppercut from the Brazilian.
After seemingly getting his wits about him, Moraes threw a knee right through Demetrious Johnson’s guard as he looked to return to his feet, stunning him up against the cage and stopping Johnson for the first time in his career.
No longer the flyweight world champion after losing in the rematch, Adriano Moraes has the chance to win the series 2-1 at ONE on Prime Video 10 and assert himself over one of the best MMA fighters to ever compete.