When Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson got knocked out last year for the first time in his career by Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes, he took that loss to heart and carried it with him as motivation.
So imagine how elated he must have felt when he finally got back at his old tormentor.
Not only did he even the score, he did so in the most poetic way, knocking Moraes out with the same knee that the Brazilian used to finish him a year ago. In doing so, Johnson also captured the ONE Flyweight World Title.
“It feels good, man. It was a great fight against Adriano Moraes,” Johnson said after his main-event win at ONE Fight Night 1 this past Saturday, 27 August, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“I think the first fight we had against each other, he got me. Then when I came home and watched it, I was kind of a little irritated about a couple of things. But we got this one. I wish nothing but the best for Adriano.”
The finish was similar to what Moraes did to him last year, as he got blasted with a punch before being finished with a knee in one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.
So when he returned the favor this past Saturday – which happened with an overhand right and one huge walkoff knee KO – some people were wondering if Johnson actively looked for the same finish.
Johnson brushed it off, however, saying that he just took advantage of the situation that presented itself.
“It wasn’t something we drilled,” Johnson said. “It was just [my] stance and how we [fought]. The biggest thing was just trying to be dynamic and be fluid and chill.
“When I landed the right hand, I saw he was wobbling. I kept my distance, and I saw he was about to run into the cage. I was like, ‘OK, it’s a perfect time.’ And I threw the knee. Once I knew that it landed, it was like a kill shot. I was like, ‘OK, that’s game,’ and just walked off.”
While Johnson is still very much on top of his game, he is already looking at things differently. His goal right now is to put on a show, regardless of outcomes and the accolades that come with them.
“At the end of the day, I’m at the point in my career [where] I’m just here to have fun, and if I win, I win. If I lose, I lose,” Johnson said.
“I’m not going to let the outcome of my wins or my losses dictate my life. If I was on the receiving end of another knee, I would have had the same demeanor and energy right now.”