One of the greatest UFC Champions ever, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson suffered his first stoppage loss. It was truly a sad thing to watch for hardcore UFC fans but for Johnson he handled it with class.
The huge size disadvantage may have been a huge factor for Johnson as he could not close the distance well. Adriano Moraes is also one great fighter that was well aware of how great Johnson is. Moraes is also the ONE Flyweight champion, which may be great for ONE to prove as well that their top fighters could go on par with the UFC.
In the first round, it was the feeling out process but DJ could just not get close to Moraes. So that means that if they continue to do it, Johnson might lose to a decision. The only way Johnson would need is to take risk, but unfortunately he got clipped with an uppercut that knocked him down.
Once he got down, he got kneed that led to lights out. Take note that a knee against a grounded opponent is legal in ONE FC so that was totally alright. There was a similar incident in the Yan vs Sterling fight, but in the UFC it was illegal so that means it is a DQ.
Funny thing is both Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling reacted to the situation with different point of views. In one side, Sterling said that there is a reason why he does not like the knee to be legal as it is not safe for the fighters.
This is why knees to downed opponents are vicious and ILLEGAL in MMA in the UFC! If this was the USA that knee is not allowed and Mighty Mouse can get up in a more safe and protective manner.
I hope Mighty Mouse is ok, but this is why I disagree with those rules. #ONEonTNT1
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 8, 2021
In the other side, Yan said that knee was well executed and congrats the champion. He also throws shade against Sterling by saying that Johnson recovered well.
Congrats to Adriano Moraes! Nice knee. And good to see DJ recovered quickly
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) April 8, 2021
Their tweets are definitely selling well for the rematch. It will create more hype with the rematch and with the Sandhagen vs Dillashaw fight made, the bantamweight division is stacked as ever.
