Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida witnessed his comrade Adriano Moraes’ climb to the top of the renowned flyweight class in ONE Championship as well as Moraes’ subsequent fall from that position.
Moraes held the title of ONE flyweight world champion for a total of 1,310 days, making him the champion with the longest consecutive reign.
“Mikinho,” on the other hand, was knocked from his pedestal after suffering a defeat at the hands of the illustrious Demetrious Johnson at ONE on Prime Video 1 in August 2022.
In the third and final match of their trilogy, which took place in May of this year at ONE Fight Night 10, Moraes once again lost to Johnson, denying him the opportunity to win back the ONE Flyweight World Title.
Moraes is a teammate of Almeida’s at American Top Team, and Almeida is convinced that his close friend has what it takes to climb back to the top and take the crown for the flyweight division.
During an interview with ONE Championship, ‘Buchecha’ stated that Moraes is already putting in work at the gym in an effort to reclaim the world title that was formerly held by him.
“Let’s see when the next fight will be and against who, but I’m sure he’ll regain his space, and the belt will make its way back to him,” said the commentator. For a decade, he was unbeatable in the flyweight class of the ONE Championship.
He continued:
“It was only two losses, and he won’t be a different fighter as a result of either of those losses,” he said. Already in the gym and laser-focused on his goals, I have no doubt that he will be a completely different fighter come the next match. He is going to show there ravenous for success, and he is going to put on a show.
Even though Moraes was unsuccessful in his attempt to retain his cherished belt, the knockout that occurred during his first world title defense versus Johnson is considered to be one of the most memorable in the history of mixed martial arts.
At ONE on TNT I in April 2021, Johnson, the champion of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix, challenged Moraes for the flyweight title. Moraes accepted the challenge. Moraes, on the other hand, cemented his place in mixed martial arts lore by knocking out Johnson with a devastating planted knee for the knockout victory in the second round.
Regarding Almeida, the 17-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion will compete against ‘Reug Reug’ Oumar Kane at ONE Fight Night 13 this coming Friday at the illustrious Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
All Prime Video subscribers in North America get access to the live stream of ONE Fight Night 13 at no additional cost.
