3 of Adriano Moraes' best weaponsÂ
On August 26, at ONE on Prime Video 1, ONE flyweight world champion Adriano Moraes will be defending his world title for a second time against MMA great Demetrious Johnson.
The two met last year when 'Mikinho' shocked the MMA world by becoming the first man to knock out 'Mighty Mouse'. The finish was undoubtedly the KO of the year - it might even be of the decade.
The KO was shocking not only because of the fact that 'DJ' has never KO'd before, but also because Moraes wasn't known for his striking power. Somehow, 'Mikinho' did the unthinkable and slept the man most considered the greatest of all time.
Since his monumental upset victory against 'DJ', Adriano Moraes has made a successful title defense against Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE X. In front of a sold-out stadium in the biggest martial arts event of all time, 'Mikinho' submitted the Japanese dynamo via guillotine choke.
On the same night, Demetrious Johnson made history by defeating ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a mixed rules bout that awed the entire crowd.
More than a year after they first locked horns, Moraes and Johnson will run it back in ONE's first-ever live event to be broadcast in US prime time. Today, we'll study the diverse and dangerous MMA arsenal of 'Mikinho' and see how he'll fare against 'DJ' in their rematch.
Let's look at Adriano Moraes' three best weapons inside the circle.
#3. Adriano Moraes' constant movement
Moraes' constant movement, feinting and footwork is like a cross between Dominick Cruz and Frankie Edgar. It's hard to get a read on what 'Mikinho' will do next as he perpertually moving. It's also hard to corner or time him because of this.
This was, in large part, how he was so successful against Johnson in their first fight. 'DJ' is best known for his legendary movement and perhaps didn't expect Moraes to match him in that department.
'Mighty Mouse' couldn't get a solid rhythm going as Moraes would always jar him with his constant zig-zagging around.
Against Wakamatsu, Moraes did the same thing and nullified the Japanese fighter's nuclear right hand. 'Little Piranha' couldn't find an opportunity to land a clean blow as Moraes would constantly give him different looks throughout the fight.
We can also credit Adriano Moraes' supreme conditioning for being able to keep his high-paced movement from round one to five.