“I can still win fights” - Former champ Adriano Moraes happy to prove he is still the top dog in flyweight division
Former ONE flyweight MMA world champion 'Mikinho' Adriano Moraes of Brazil breathed a sigh of relief last weekend, after taking care of business against longtime Filipino rival 'The King' Danny Kingad at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video.
Moraes dug deep to overcome a stiff challenge from the Lions Nation MMA representative by taking Kingad into his wheelhouse in the second round to secure a guillotine choke finish.
It was a huge statement from Moraes, who is coming off back-to-back losses to none other than the legendary 'Mighty Mouse' Demetrious Johnson himself.
Speaking to veteran MMA reporter Nic Atkin of Bangkok Post in a post-fight interview, a jovial Moraes announced his return to the top of the stack.
The American Top Team / Constrictor Team representative said:
"The champ is back! I have been training since my last bout. I really wanted to prove to myself that I can still win fights. I can still win fights, and I’m so happy today, brother."
Moraes has sent a message to the rest of the division, reminding them of who used to rule at the top for years. With the win, 'Mikinho' is likely in pole position to challenge for the vacant flyweight MMA gold left behind by Johnson's retirement, although there is no clear challenger yet.
Adriano Moraes breaks down victory over Danny Kingad: "I enjoyed the opportunity and jammed in the guillotine"
Former divisional king Adriano Moraes is more than proud of his clutch performance against Danny Kingad at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video.
'Mikinho' broke down his win for Bangkok Post:
"I saw some interviews that Danny did, saying he could knock me out so he came for it. In the first round, I put him down, but he had good transitions and he set up a good ground and pound that I felt a little bit. But I was able to swap with him at the end of the round. In the second round, it was the same thing, we had some striking exchanges, so I accepted some good hands from him, and I saw he felt it a little bit. I heard my corner telling me to put him down because we were almost ending the round, so I put him down. Then he started to stand up, and I enjoyed the opportunity and jammed in the guillotine."
ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video too place live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday, Nov. 9. Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action via replay on-demand with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.