(James Goyder is the owner/editor of AsianMMA.com)
ONE Championship made its debut on Amazon Prime tonight. The show at the Singapore Indoor Stadium was broadcast live in North America by the streaming service with Demetrious Johnson crowned as the new flyweight champion in the main event.
He was rematching Adriano Moraes who stopped him in the second round at ONE on TNT last year. The Brazilian’s flyweight belt was on the line and he made an encouraging start, catching a kick and sweeping the former UFC 125lbs king to the ground.
Moraes spent the remainder of the opening round in top position but it was Johnson who did the most damage. He landed an elbow from the bottom as the Brazilian was focused on defending a triangle choke attempt which opened up a nasty looking cut above his left eye.
Moraes also got the takedown in the second round and was controlling the fight positionally. But the momentum started to shift in the fourth with Johnson moving forwards relentlessly and the Brazilian starting to look a little tired.
In the fourth round Johnson secured the most impressive knockout of his entire career. He slipped a left from Moraes and countered with a right hook of his own that sent the champion stumbling backwards.
With Moraes still stunned he unleashed a flying knee that knocked the Brazilian out. There was no need for any follow up strikes with the finish coming at the 3:50 mark.
With the win he improves to 24-4 and becomes the first fighter to ever win titles with ONE Championship and the UFC. Moraes slips to 20-4 and loses the flyweight belt he has held since 2019.
Marcus Almeida (4-0) continued his immaculate start to MMA. The Brazilian heavyweight submitted Kirill Grishenko with a heel hook after just 1:04 minutes of the opening round and afterwards paid tribute to his friend Leandro Lo who was murdered in Brazil three weeks ago.
Itsuki Hirata (6-2) left it very late to turn around her fight with Lin Heqin (15-4-1). The Chinese fighter appeared to be on track for a decision win until she was knocked down with a hard right hand in the final seconds which swayed all three judges in favour of the Japanese fighter.
ONE on Prime Video 1, Singapore, August 27th
Demetrius Johnson def. Adriano Moraes via KO (llying knee) at 3:50 of Round 4
Muay Thai: Nong-O Gaiyanghadao def Liam Harrison via KO (Leg kicks) at 2:10 of Round 1
Muay Thai: Panpayak Jitmuangnon def. Savvas Michael via KO (Head kick) at 0:10 of Round 2
Marcus Almeida def. Kirill Grishenko via Submission (Heel hook) at 1:04 of Round 1
Amir Aliakbari def. Mauro Cerilli via TKO (Punches and Elbows) at 4:02 of Round 2
Muay Thai: Superlek Kiatmoo9 def. Walter Goncalves via KO (Elbow) at 1:35 of Round 1
Diandra Martin def. Amber Kitchen via Decision (Unanimous)
Itsuki Hirata def. Heqin Lin via Decision (Unanimous)
Zebaztian Kadestam def. Iuri Lapicus via KO (Punch) at 0:57 of Round 1
Demetrious Johnson knocks out Adriano Moraes at ONE on Amazon Prime 1
