Demetrious Johnson says Nong-O Gaiyanghadao is a problem for everyone in his division
Demetrious Johnson knows a thing or two about what it takes to become one of the best fighters in the world. Reigning as the promotion’s flyweight world champion, shared his admiration for another ONE world champion, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao.
In an interview with ONE Championship, ‘Mighty Mouse’ said:
“Nong-O is a f***ing absolute monster. Nobody is ever going to touch him. He’s a f***ing brute. I don’t see anybody beating him anytime soon.”
The 36-year-old Muay Thai icon has amassed an impressive 264 career wins in his professional career, including nine straight wins inside the circle. During that impressive run, Nong-O captured the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title and has since defended it an impressive six times. He’ll attempt to go for number seven on January 20.
Nong-O will step into the world-famous Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok to defend his title against No. 2 ranked contender Alaverdi ‘Babyface Killer’ Ramazanov. Riding a three-fight win streak, Ramazanov earned his title opportunity with a split decision victory over former two-time kickboxing world champion Capitan Petchyindee.
Nong-O’s last appearance came at ONE on Prime Video 1. Stepping into the Circle with high-octane British striker Liam Harrison, Nong-O delivered another showstopping performance, knocking out Harrison just past the two-minute mark with a brutal leg kick.
Demetrious Johnson looks back on a successful 2022
Demetrious Johnson knows his time as a professional mixed martial artist is coming to an end sooner rather than later. During his off-time, ‘Mighty Mouse’ reflected on the year that has passed and the things he has accomplished, including becoming the promotion’s newest flyweight world champion:
“It was great. I fought twice. I fought Rodtang [Jitmuangnon] in a mixed-rules fight at ONE X, ten-year anniversary for ONE Championship. After that fight, stock rose, especially coming off that loss to Adriano [Moraes] after probably a year off."
Before capturing the flyweight crown from division rival Adriano Moraes, Johnson made history yet again, competing in ONE Championship’s first-ever mixed-rules bout against ‘The Iron Man’ Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Scoring a second-round submission over the Muay Thai icon, Johnson would earn himself another shot at ONE Championship shot. A shot he inevitably took full advantage of.
Demetrious Johnson will make history once again on May 5 when he headlines the promotion’s first event in North America, ONE on Prime Video 10, alongside Adriano Moraes in a highly-anticipated trilogy bout.