Former ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes is leaving no stones unturned entering the biggest fight of his career.
The Brazilian grappling ace looks to settle his trilogy with ONE Flyweight World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in the main event of ONE Fight Night 10 on 6 May at the sold-out 1stBank Center in Colorado.
Things have fallen right into place for Moraes. Not only will he get the chance to come up on top against a fighter who many consider as the greatest to ever do it — he gets to attempt it in ONE’s debut on U.S. soil.
“I consider Johnson the biggest rival of my career. He is considered the best in the world and also in the history of this division. He was my greatest victory, and at the same time, my greatest defeat,” he said.
“I was the first World Champion of ONE’s flyweight category. I’m glad to be one of the pillars of the division and to be in the main event of the first ONE Championship event in the U.S. It will be very significant to beat him here.”
In fact, he’s going full-throttle now at American Top Team in Florida to sharpen every facet of his game to prepare for Johnson’s multi-pronged attacks.
“Because it is a trilogy, the preparation is more detailed because we know each other well, but it is intense training the same way [as with any other opponent],” he said.
“I have great training partners and coaches that help me every day. Katel Kubis for Muay Thai, Steve Mocco and Mike Brown for wrestling, Pitu and Gabriel de Oliveira in boxing, Marcos ‘Parrumpinha’ and Rani Yahya in jiu-jitsu.
“‘Cobrinha’ came here and helped, and ‘Buchecha’ helps me in grappling as well. In MMA there is Pedro Munhoz, Alexandre Pantoja, and other guys who help me a lot.”
Now it’s all about familiarizing himself with the altitude in Colorado, something that visiting athletes always take note of – regardless of the sport. The 34-year-old plans to be weeks early just to accustom himself to the change.
“I gave a seminar there [recently] and spent a few days tuning in and setting myself with the altitude. I plan to go a few weeks earlier so as not to be caught by surprise with the altitude that everyone talks about,” he said.
“I have some training partners who have already fought there and told me about the altitude of Colorado. It’s all planned. My brother [Jorge] Masvidal has already fought there and gave me some tips.”