[autotag]Adriano Moraes[/autotag]’ next bout arguably is the biggest of his career, but he’s left just hoping it still happens.
ONE Championship flyweight titleholder Moraes (18-3) is set to meet former UFC flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson (30-3-1) at the end of May at ONE Championship’s “Infinity 1” event in Manila in the Philippines. But the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic might have something to say about that time table.
“We hope this coronavirus situation improves so we can actually travel there,” Moraes recently told MMA Junkie. “It’s not for sure that airports will be open at that time. I believe this will all get better so the event can go forward.
“My understanding right now is that the card will be on May 29, in Manila – assuming things improve. I’m not sure if ONE has a Plan B, or another location in mind like a closed studio. It would be a dream come true if they could do it here in the United States. I’ll just keep training, waiting for the time to come, so we can have the fight in the best way possible.”
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Moraes, currently training in Florida, has had to deal with closed gyms like most fighters. He said he already had been training when things started into lockdown mode to help combat the virus. Now he’s at the point he does what he can to stay in shape.
“To keep doing it, I’ve been exercising outdoors,” he said. “I wake up early so I can go on a long run and practice some shadowboxing in the grassy area near my building. There’s a pool here, too. It’s not too big, but I’m also swimming so I can work my cardio. I use some of the trees in the area to do some drills. There are ways to stay active while we wait for this coronavirus situation to improve. I’m taking care of myself. I’m helping out by doing social distancing. We’re all doing our part until things improve, and we can get back to work. I’m looking forward to a great fight.”
Johnson moved to ONE Championship after years in the UFC in late 2018 and worked his way through a flyweight tournament to get a shot at the belt. Moraes avenged a loss to Geje Eustaquio in January 2019 with a unanimous decision to win back the bantamweight title. That victory came seven months after he lost a split call to Eustaquio to have a four-fight winning streak halted.
Moraes has been thinking about Johnson for long enough that he seems to understand a lot of his ins and outs. But at the same time, he’ll have gone nearly 18 months without fighting.
“My focus is to be at an above-average physical condition,” he said. “I want my standup to be very intense, too. Sometimes, I manage to book time with a partner, so we can spar or hit some pads at a local field. I’ll do what I always do, which is to give my best inside the ONE circle. I’m looking to get a knockout or submission win. It’s going to be a very active fight. I’m much improved since my last fight last year. I’m very happy with this opportunity. I believe everything is going to work out for the best.
“Once Demetrious Johnson joined the promotion, I asked to fight him. But I didn’t get that fight. Instead, I was told he’d participate in the flyweight grand prix. I was told I’d defend against the eventual grand prix winner (Johnson). So, I had to wait. There was nothing I could do. But the wait will be worth it. It’s going to be a great fight.”
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