On Saturday, 26 March, Adriano Moraes will watch with intrigue as ONE Championship’s first-ever special rules super-fight goes down at ONE X.
At the historic event, 12-time Mixed Martial Arts World Champion Demetrious Johnson and reigning flyweight Muay Thai king Rodtang Jitmuangnon will square off in a contest that alternates between each ruleset.
ONE Flyweight World Champion Moraes will defend his crown against Yuya Wakamatsu on the same card at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, but he can’t help but wonder what will happen when his old foe Johnson and striking sensation Rodtang meet inside the Circle.
The Brazilian said:
“Rodtang is a Muay Thai superstar, an athlete on the rise. I believe DJ was smart to accept because this fight will bring a lot of visibility to the event and to him. The special rules is something new in ONE Championship, so it will attract more people interested in this fight.”
The clash between “Mighty Mouse” and “The Iron Man” will consist of up to four three-minute frames – Muay Thai in rounds one and three and MMA in rounds two and four.
Moraes is excited to see how the new format plays out, especially because he will witness the unique battle in person.
“Mikinho” said:
“It’s a fight that really excites me. I’m looking forward to seeing this fight. I am very happy to be part of this card. I’ll be able to watch this fight live.”
Adriano Moraes Thinks Demetrious Johnson Will Defeat Rodtang Jitmuangnon With Grappling
Having competed against Demetrious Johnson at “ONE on TNT I” last year, Adriano Moraes know the American legend well – and predicts he’ll have the upper hand against his Thai opponent.
“Mikinho” is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and although he knocked out Johnson – he thinks “Mighty Mouse’s” grappling acumen will overcome Rodtang’s fierce stand-up arsenal.
Moraes said:
“I believe DJ will survive Rodtang’s Muay Thai in the first round and will submit him in the second round. I believe the fight will unfold this way. My prediction is DJ by submission in the second round.”
For his part, Moraes is focused on a massive World Title defense against the hard-hitting Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE X.
Still, he won’t write off the chance to compete in a similar mixed-rules clash somewhere down the line – but only after watching how this one unfolds.
The flyweight king added:
“I want to see what those special rules will look like. Who knows if I won’t have a fight with these rules in the future?”(One Championship)
(Photo credits to: SCMP)