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ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix winner and 12-time UFC champion Demetrious Johnson will meet six-time ONE flyweight champion Adriano Moraes at the “ONE on TNT” event next Wednesday.
When that happens, Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao will be watching closely.
“Demetrious Johnson’s fight against Adriano Moraes is a very interesting fight. I’m excited to see what happens, ”Sangiao said.
“We have had several fights against Moraes since the beginning of the ONE Championship, so we know what he brings. We have seen how he has become a tremendous fighter, all the mistakes he made and all the improvements. He is a great athlete and champion, very technical and calculated ”.
Two of Sangiao’s pupils, Geje Eustaquio and Danny Kingad, have faced Moraes several times in the past, with Kingad facing Johnson in late 2019.
“At the same time, we had a fight with DJ and we lived it with Danny [Kingad]. He is an incredible martial artist and one of the best in the world. Also a very technical fighter. DJ is amazing in all categories. He’s a complete fighter, which is what makes him great. This fight is going to be a technical show, ”Sangiao said.
Johnson joined the ONE Championship in March 2019 in a one-of-a-kind trade that sent former ONE welterweight world champion Ben Askren to the UFC.
Since then, Johnson has assembled three impressive victories, winning an eight-man flyweight tournament in the process and earning his shot at ONE Championship gold.
Sangiao doesn’t see how Moraes can overcome Johnson’s strengths and is choosing the American to win the fight.
“For me, I think Demetrious has a huge advantage with his fight. He also has fantastic footwork and knows how to put himself in the best places. It’s so technical with that look. Although he is small for the division, he moves very well and has great cage control, ”said Sangiao.
“Demetrious can score takedowns anywhere in the Circle. If you can’t put one against the fence, it’ll take you downtown. He reads his opponents and then controls them on the ground. Moraes is a great fighter, but so is Demetrious. That’s what makes this fight compelling. “
“Who is going to start a ground battle first? This can be reduced to the hit. If so, who is the best striker? We’ll find out. I just don’t see how Moraes can beat Demetrious’s advantages. I don’t know if he can stop me from doing what he wants, ”Sangiao concluded.
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