Those who doubted the real level of the One Championship had proof this weekend that the organisation is undoubtedly the best in Asia. Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez learned this the hard way, and even legend Demetrious Johnson was put under pressure.
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Difficulty on his feet, impressive on the ground
Mighty Mouse was embarking on a new chapter in his already busy career this weekend. His departure from the UFC after his narrow defeat to Henry Cejudo had left his fans bitter, but they reassured themselves that there was also opposition at the One Championship. Johnson fought the young Japanese fighter Yuya Wakamatsu in the quarter-finals of the tournament organised to crown the organisation's future flyweight champion. And Demetrious suffered more than expected in the first round.
Despite some very good sequences, he could be seen to be in difficulty against the speed of his opponent while on his feet. To avoid taking too many risks, Mighty Mouse decided to bring the fight to the ground in the second round. After a clear domination, he placed his opponent in a magnificent headlock (although it was not as impressive as his one against Ray Borg) which forced Wakamatsu to tap out. Johnson was keen to congratulate his opponent after his great victory: ‘He is young and fast, several time he managed to connect with his right hook left sequence, and I had trouble making up the distance.’
