"Game recognize game" - Fans loving Adriano Moraes and Demetrious Johnson's show of respect after their iconic first fight
Former ONE flyweight MMA world champion Adriano Moraes produced one of the most iconic finishes in the sport's history when he knocked out the legendary Demetrious Johnson during their first meeting in April 2021 at ONE on TNT I.
This legendary moment in Moraes' career was reposted by ONE Championship on Instagram recently:
"It's all about respect 🙏 What are the chances Adriano Moraes scored a KO in his rematch with Danny Kingad at ONE 169? @adrianomoraesmma"
Following that win, 'Mikinho' still paid his respect to 'Mighty Mouse' and even apologized for knocking him out to successfully retain his 26-pound golden belt.
This show of respect between the Brazilian and American superstars have touched the hearts of fans, particularly users @tommy130y, @md31sunny, @mojtaba.arefi22, @jedi_9t, and @db_danielbeavan, who reacted with comments:
"Game recognize game. Respect and true combat etiquette. Warriors."
"Respect!! That is rare in MMA these days."
"Power and politeness 👏"
"Just before this happened Dj said getting a knee while down was fine"
"What a win against the true GOAT 🐐🙌🏻"
Adriano Moraes shares that he enjoyed his rivalry with Demetrious Johnson
After beating Johnson, the American Top Team and Constrictor Team representative fought him twice more over the ONE flyweight MMA world title.
Johnson claimed the second and third fights before retiring as the ONE flyweight MMA world champion.
Despite those losses, though, the Brazilian submission artist revealed that he enjoyed that stretch of fighting one of the greatest fighters in history, as he told Combate in a recent interview:
"I really enjoyed [the] experience even though I lost the fight on points. I left the fight injured but I fought well, you know."
Now, Moraes is ready to face Danny Kingad in a rematch on Nov. 8 as part of the stacked ONE 169 card, which emanates from the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
ONE 169 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.