“I know Demetrious Johnson is the GOAT, the greatest of all time,” Moraes told MMAJunkie. “I think if the company thinks he deserves a rematch, of course we’re gonna give him a rematch. But we have a lot of killers here in the flyweight division who I think deserve the shot. For me, I’m gonna keep my focus on my path. I’m gonna rest a little bit and come back to the gym and start all over again, and let’s see what’s gonna happen. The flyweight division here in ONE Championship is so dynamic, there are a lot of fighters, so I don’t know what’s gonna happen.
“Let’s see after this, Moraes vs. Johnson 2. I think it makes sense, he deserves it, he’s the GOAT and let’s go. I can’t wait.”
Johnson seems less focused on a rematch, at least for now. Speaking with media after the loss, Johnson said that he knows he doesn’t deserve another title shot right away and instead will focus on working his way back to the belt, or perhaps take a kickboxing bout for fun, noting that with his legacy already entirely secure, he feels less pressure to constantly pursue titles. For Moraes’ part, Johnson’s legacy includes creating these opportunities for Moraes himself.
“Thank you to him to open the doors for us at the flyweight division,” Moraes said. “Every athlete in the flyweight division should be thankful to Demetrious Johnson for opening the doors to us. …
“The flyweight division was created just because of Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez. As a big fan of MMA and, of course, I practice this sport, I know that. I remember that time when they created the flyweight division, they both were the fighters to fight for the first UFC flyweight belt, so when I saw that, I decided to drop down to flyweight. That’s why I made my stories in the flyweight division because DJ and Joseph Benavidez started the division. So that’s why a lot of flyweight athletes need to be thankful to have these two big warriors of the flyweight division open these doors for us.”
Johnson is widely considered the greatest flyweight of all time and is frequently mentioned in the discussion for greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time. Moraes is the three-time ONE Championship flyweight champion.
[h=1]TOP STORIES[/h] Big mad. Conor McGregor opens up sweepstakes to find next opponent.
Allegations. Jake Paul denies sexual assault allegations made against him by TikTok star Justine Paradise.
Confidence. Ben Askren confident going into Jake Paul fight: ‘Boxing is so much easier than mixed martial arts’.
Harsh. John McCarthy to referee who disqualified Eddie Alvarez at ONE on TNT: ‘You’re not using your brain’.
El Cucuy. Tony Ferguson explains why he tweeted that Nate Diaz is his ‘b*tch’.
Debut. Claressa Shields to make MMA debut at June 10 PFL event.
[h=1]VIDEO STEW[/h] Throwback.
Best of Valentina Shevchenko.
Gastelum bonus resume.
Vadim Nemkov’s road to the Bellator light heavyweight title.
Five things you didn’t know about Jake Paul and Ben Askren.
Cowboy’s strength and condition regimen.
Marquez on his pickleball prospects.
[h=1]LISTEN UP[/h] Man and the MITH. Discussing Vettori-Holland and the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix.
UFC Unfiltered. An interview with Georges St-Pierre.
[h=1]SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE[/h] Thirsty.
Not a better time than now! Everyone else is booked, let’s go! July 10th @danawhite @seanshelby @ufc pic.twitter.com/BPrZnpo9Gt
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) April 13, 2021
The beef continues.— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) April 13, 2021
Dickhead ??? You either have someone running your account or your translators suck like when they told you, “you can knee him”.
I accepted a June fight. I couldn’t work out. The fight is pushed. Stop sucking me https://t.co/aTFtumDeui pic.twitter.com/CsF2wVCosa
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 14, 2021
Lose.I accepted a June fight. I couldn’t work out. The fight is pushed. Stop sucking me https://t.co/aTFtumDeui pic.twitter.com/CsF2wVCosa
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 14, 2021
If this guy did this to you, what do you think I would do? https://t.co/8LKhcnJY5O pic.twitter.com/ceqgnrUaTJ
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 13, 2021
Call out.— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 13, 2021
Hey @PetrYanUFC what are you doing in July brotha? Wana beat me up while you wait for your rematch?
— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) April 14, 2021
Response.— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) April 14, 2021
No! I owe his ass a knee! Him need fi wait fi one proper slap https://t.co/3eKNZ0btOT
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 14, 2021
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 14, 2021
Are you high again Shaun? https://t.co/1dTG4DoA51
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) April 14, 2021
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) April 14, 2021
Hey @SugaSeanMMA why don't you come beat me up in July?? No way former champ @PetrYanUFC is gonna fight you. https://t.co/gN4Yrl0nVf
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) April 14, 2021
Ready.— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) April 14, 2021
MMA Debut is set! I’ve fought for the legacy in boxing long enough! I’m ready to make some real money while I go for more legacy. Boxing holla at me when the money is right https://t.co/WAs83Z3sFi
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) April 13, 2021
Brunson.— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) April 13, 2021
Marvin Vettori had a great performance this week . But that’s DB : “he copied my whole flow.., word for word, bar for bar!” pic.twitter.com/2SriHp7GvK
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 13, 2021
Pickleball.— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 13, 2021
It’s a windy day in Kansas City pic.twitter.com/N8S9qPioSw
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) April 13, 2021
Fight poster.— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) April 13, 2021
Opening May with some .
@DomReyes vs @Jiri_bjp pic.twitter.com/WlXnYeNWcn
— UFC (@ufc) April 13, 2021
@DomReyes vs @Jiri_bjp pic.twitter.com/WlXnYeNWcn
— UFC (@ufc) April 13, 2021
[h=1]FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS[/h] Diego Ferreira (17-3) vs. Gregor Gillespie (13-1); UFC Fight Night, May 8.
[h=1]FINAL THOUGHTS[/h] Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
[h=1]EXIT POLL[/h]
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
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