A big name could be heading to the Octagon next.
Not many were able to get the better of Demetrious Johnson in mixed martial arts. The consensus greatest flyweight of all time lost just four times in his 30-fight career.
During it, ‘Mighty Mouse’ set a number of UFC records that may never be broken to establish himself as a frequent inclusion on fans’ MMA Mount Rushmore selections.
But unlike all-time greats Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov, Johnson did not end his career without being stopped inside the distance.
You’re Dana White for the day. Who’s the first fighter you sign to the UFC? 👀
Demetrious Johnson conqueror Adriano Moraes calls for UFC signing
Johnson went 15 years in MMA without being finished, but that run came to a violent halt at the hands of Adriano Moraes in 2021.
After ‘Mighty Mouse’ was traded to ONE Championship, he won his first three fights in the Asian promotion before running into ‘Mikinho’. Moraes knocked Johnson out with a knee, a shocking result that saw the Brazilian successfully defend the ONE flyweight (135 pounds) title.
‘Mikinho’ has lost three of his four fights since then, two of which came in rematches against Johnson. After a TKO loss to Yuya Wakamatsu last time out, the three-time ONE champ is seeking a new challenge.
Moraes is officially a free agent after going 12-6 during his 13-year career in ONE Championship. The Brazilian revealed the news to MMA Fighting and made his pitch to the UFC.
“I believe I had already done everything I could do in ONE Championship,” Moraes said. “I became champion, defended my belt, put up some good numbers. I have nothing to complain about, but my contract came to an end, and I informed the organization that I really didn’t want to renew it.
“Now I’m looking for another place to work, to take this last run, this final stretch of my career, and keep being happy doing what I love.
“If a fight falls through at UFC (327 in) Miami next month, I’m here. Just give me a call,” he added.
Why Adriano Moraes is confident of success in the UFC
Moraes has competed exclusively at 135 pounds for almost a decade.
Despite that, the 37-year-old is confident of making the traditional flyweight limit in the UFC, where he believes experience training with legends Alexandre Pantoja and Kyoji Horiguchi has set him up well.
“I believe that, with my potential, I can be part of the UFC roster, especially since I train with (Alexandre) Pantoja and Kyoji Horiguchi,” Moraes said during the same MMA Fighting interview.
“I’m preparing myself, training with the best as always, to fight the best. We’re here to put on great fights.”
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