Adriano Moraes knocks out ‘Mighty Mouse’

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ONE flyweight champion Adriano Moraes (19-3) became the first man to ever win a break over former UFC champion Demetrious Johnson (30-4-1), stopping him from strikes in the second round of their featured fight at ONE on TNT I.

The match headlined the MMA match of Wednesday’s event, which took place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and was broadcast live on TNT in the US.

The bigger Moraes stayed on the outside early, shifting constantly, forcing Johnson to try and push the action from afar. Moraes eventually caught a kick from his opponent and then dropped to the canvas trying to threaten the leg. While Moraes was unable to finish the submission, the ensuing scramble saw him move to the top position, where he finished the round.

Moraes remained mobile in the second, with Johnson seamlessly switching positions and seeking press. The aggression was impressive, but it would backfire, with Moraes sneaking in a sharp two-punch combination against an advancing opponent who crashed him to the ground. Taking advantage of a baffled opponent, Moraes scored a legal knee for a downed enemy and earned the stoppage win at 2:24 in the second frame.

ONE Championship’s prime-time run in the US got off to a rather frustrating start, with Eddie Alvarez (10-8) disqualified in the first round of his lightweight bout with Iuri Lapicus (15-1).

After a brief process to start the fight, Alvarez shot in for a takedown and was able to drag the action to the canvas in the first minute. Sitting next to the cage and with his opponent in a dominant position, Lapicus turned his face to the fence, leaving only the back of his head visible. Alvarez threw a pair of right hands that landed on the base of the skull – and Lapicus cried out before falling back to the canvas.

Referee Justin Brown immediately intervened when Alvarez turned to hammerfists. After a moment of confusion, Brown gave Alvarez a red card.

After the call was made, a clearly moved Alvarez said he thought the blows were legal, but apologized for the violation and expressed concern for the welfare of his opponent when he was taken away in a stretcher.

“You put me in a cage,” Alvarez said. “The referee, he’s in there. Whatever call he makes, that’s all. I apologize. I hope Iuri is okay. “

Former UFC and Bellator Champion Alvarez has now had just one win in three ONE Championship appearances.

In the opening game of the evening, heavyweight prospect Oumar Kane (3-0), better known as “Reug Reug”, kept his perfect career record flawless with a first round beating from kickboxer Patrick Schmid (0-1).

Kane was patient to open the game, but in the end he was swarming with punches, working his way in before putting the action on the ground. Schmid struggled to get back to his feet when Kane got away with punches and the fight was called off at 1:48 of the opening round.

ONE on TNT I results include:

MAIN MAP

  • Champ Adriano Moraes def. Demetrious Johnson via knockout (punches, knee) – Round 2, 2:24 – to defend the flyweight title
  • Iuri Lapicus defeats. Eddie Alvarez via disqualification (illegal punches) – Round 1, 1:02

PROVISIONAL CARD

  • Raimond Magomedaliev def. Tyler McGuire via unanimous decision – Round 3, 5:00
  • Oumar Kane def. Patrick Schmid via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:48

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