Demetrious Johnson: My game plan is to go out there and get on his ass like last time

ONE Championship’s live U.S. debut looms in 2023, and one half of the main event is already getting preparations underway.

Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson will make his first defense of the ONE Flyweight World Championship in a combustible trilogy bout against former World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes, which will headline ONE On Prime Video 10 at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado.

In an effort to take bragging rights and keep his title, Johnson is already planning his approach to May’s historic outing. With the contest taking place at approximately 6,800 feet, “Mighty Mouse” aims to ensure nothing can go awry by starting to acclimatise early.

“I just have to decide if I want to get there early or not,” Johnson explained.
“I’ve fought in Broomfield, Colorado before when I was still kind of young in my career.

“I’m going back out to Arizona to get ready for my fight and do my pre-camp with Henry Cejudo. After that, I’m going to sit down with the wife and do two weeks out there and see if it makes a difference.”

While he attempts to tackle the changes he’ll need to anticipate for the mountainous region, Johnson feels his experience will play a role in his upcoming battle.

After all, he has done and seen it all in his storied career, so he knows what to expect from himself.

“Now, being 36, I understand how to fight and how to pace myself while pushing the pace. We haven’t crossed that bridge yet. I’m still trying to figure it out, [but] I’m not too worried about it. I’m going to train my ass off and go out there and fight,” Johnson said.

As “Mighty Mouse” aims to maintain his elite conditioning that’s seen him through a plethora of 25-minute battles, the biggest point of preparation is based around the man standing opposite him on the night.
Johnson and Moraes are tied at one victory apiece in their rivalry, and the MMA superstar is hellbent on winning the trilogy. However, he remains well aware that “Mikinho”’s comeback performances have been dominant in the past.
Moraes has lost the World Title only to regain it in the rematch on two occasions, so the defending divisional king needs to careful.

“Look at Geje Eustaquio and Kairat Akhmetov. Moraes is used to this,” Johnson said.
“He’s used to losing the belt and then getting the opportunity to get it back, and he usually does.

“I’m just going to go out there and fight. That’s my game plan. Go out there and get on his ass like last time.”