Demetrius Johnson defended his Flyweight title against Adriano Moraes in their trilogy bout.
ONE Championship’s first-ever event in the United States took place on Friday, May 5, at the 1STBANK Center in Denver, Colorado. We recap the fights from last night’s main card.
Northcutt Vs Mujtaba
Sage Northcutt (11-3) returned after an almost four-year absence to get things underway against Ahmed Mujtaba (10-2).
Round One
Northcutt is caught with a jab and falls to the canvas. Mujtaba jumps on top to try and finish the fight, but Northcutt manages to secure a heel hook. Many twists and turns follow before Mujtaba eventually taps out in a brief but eventful contest which only lasts thirty seconds. Northcutt wins via submission in round one.
Soldic Vs Kadestam
Roberto ‘Robocop’ Soldic of Croatia (20-3-1) then fought Zebaztian ‘The Bandit’ Kadestam of Sweden (14-7) in a welterweight contest. Several of Kadestam” opponents have tried to take the fight to the ground due to his knockout power, but that’s not to be expected here tonight as both men are one-punch, knockout artists.
Round One
Left hand to the head by Soldic in an uneventful opening minute. During the initial exchanges, Soldic lands most of the shots, a left hand knocking his opponent off balance. His right leg wobbles before composing himself after the cage steadies him. The left hands easily get through, with Soldic taking the first round.
Round Two
Soldic ducks low to land a left body shot, but Kadestam counters with a left of his own, sending Soldic to the canvas. Kadestam lands an elbow before a straight right knocks Soldic down again briefly. Soldic quickly got back to his feet, and both fighters began to throw down; what we had been waiting for.
Another right, another knockdown from Kadestam to complete the hat trick. Then, a fourth knockdown! Herb Dean had seen enough and waves the fight off.
Kadestam wins via KO in round two.
Stamp Vs Anderson
Fighting out of Thailand, the #1 ranked Atomweight, Stamp Fairtex (9-2), took on a former kickboxing and world champion, Alyse ‘Lil Savage’ Anderson (6-2).
Round One
Stamp shows very relaxed movement; Anderson lands a right hand and looks to press the pace. Anderson gains a takedown, but Stamp is able to reverse and gain position back to her feet. A cut opens up on Anderson’s eye, but she continues to push the pace, not afraid of being on the receiving end of some shots upon entry.
Round Two
Stamp takes the back of Anderson from a standing position and manages to stay there for a while as her back is against the cage. A stalemate ensues, and after a minute of no action, they return to the center. Anderson grabs a kick, pushes Stamp to the cage wall, and ties her up with a body lock.
Stamp breaks free and delivers a piercing liver kick, sending Anderson to the canvas in grimacing pain. She’s unable to continue.
Stamp wins via KO in the second round and will now fight for the Atomweight interim title.
Almarwai Vs Musumeci
Jiu Jitsu Osamah Almarwai took on Mikey Musumeci in a ten-minute round for the One Flyweight Submission Grappling Championship.
Mikey Musumecki wins the bout in minute eight with a rear naked choke, and Almarwai taps out before he loses consciousness.
Musumeci wins via submission.
Co-Main Event – Flyweight Muay Thai Championship
Mexico’s Edgar Tabares took on the Flyweight Muay Thai champion, ‘The Iron Man’ – Thailand’s Rodtang.
Round One
Tabares lands a spinning elbow which unsettles Rodtang for a brief moment. Rodtang’s agility is evident as he closes the distance at razor-sharp speed and lands a couple of right hands in the process. Tavares stands right before Rodtang, willing to engage at every opportunity. Much of the first round is spent with both fighters reading their opponents before Tavares lands a high kick to the head of Rodtang as the end of the round approaches.
Round Two
Rodtang lands a left hand which throws Tabares off balance – it counts as a slip rather than a knockdown. Rodtang increases the pressure, landing a few punches, but Tabares is responding well. Tabares seems hurt, and Rodtang can smell blood.
Rodtang catches a kick and lands a left elbow before doing the exact same thing moments later. This time, the elbow floors Tabares and the referee, Oliver Coste, eaves the fight off.
Rodtang wins via KO in round two.
Main Event – Flyweight MMA Championship
Demetrius Johnson (C) and Adrian Moraes (1) took to the main stage for their rubber match to conclude their trilogy, with both fighters having a knockout victory over their opponent.
Round One
Johnson opens with a right low kick which is heard throughout the arena. Moraes’ reach advantage is evident, but both fighters feel each other out at this stage. A flying knee attempt from Moraes narrowly misses. ‘Mighty Mouse’ initiates the first clinch of the fight. They trade knees with the champs back against the cage – close round.
Round Two
Johnson displays his famous, unorthodox movement as he approaches his opponent with open palms. Moraes lands a nice right hand, followed by a kick. Moraes catches Johnson with a left hook which staggers the champion for a moment. He recovers quickly, and Moraes instigates a clinch. Like the first round, they trade knees before Johnson gets himself off the fence and lands a takedown. Moraes gets back to his feet.
Round Three
Moraes catches a leg kick and attempts a takedown, but Johnson returns to his feet.
Johnson’s cardio is on point, while Moraes seems to be fatiguing. Johnson lands an elbow to the face, and both fighters remain in a largely uneventful clinch. Johnson grows throughout the round, landing many knees to the body.
Round Four
Moraes increases the pressure at the start of this round, possibly because he may be behind on the judges’ scorecards. It remains a close fight, so all is still to play for. Moraes gets the champion in a tight body lock as Johnson attempts some Conor McGregor-esque shoulder strikes. They separate and a couple of flurries from Johnson cause some damage to Moraes. We end the round with another clinch.
Round Five
The fifth round follows a similar pattern to the previous four; knees traded in multiple clinches, a very close fight, but the champion shows slightly more aggression in the brief spells they share in the center of the cage. Moraes lands a strong knee before ‘Mighty Mouse’ initiates a clinch against the cage. Johnson is moving almost as much as round one. Johnson wins via unanimous decision.
The Flyweight title is retained by ‘Mighty Mouse’ as he edges the trilogy.
In the post-fight interview, many were concerned that this would be the last time we saw the champion in the cage and nervously anticipated his comments. A non-committal answer is given; he would like to discuss his future with his family before a decision is made.
We may see one of the GOATs of MMA in the cage again.
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