Demetrious Johnson more confident in Moraes rematch after surviving shots from Rodtang

Former UFC flyweight world champion Demetrious Johnson feels more confident ahead of his rematch with ONE flyweight world champion Adriano Moraes in the main event of ONE on Prime on Saturday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Johnson, touted by some as the greatest mixed martial arts fighter of all time, is coming off a second-round submission victory over Muay Thai champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a hybrid rules match last March.

"I think the biggest thing the Rodtang fight [did was prepare me] for the Adriano rematch," said Johnson.

"[Against Moraes], I got caught with an uppercut. I got blasted with a knee on the ground. When I fought Rodtang, I got hit clean, and I think Rodtang hits harder than Adriano."

Johnson and Moraes first fought inside the cage in April 2021 where the latter shocked the world by winning the bout via knockout in round two. But since Johnson survived the striking of Rodtang, he now believes that he has a good chance of absorbing whatever strikes Moraes throws at him.

"[It] just told me I could take a shot. I walked Rodtang down because he was running too. Kind of like what Adriano does; he gets on his bike and starts riding," Johnson said.

"As I said, you know I can take a shot and I feel like I'm one of the best in the world."

—MGP, GMA News