Demetrious Johnson admits he regained confidence after facing "heaviest hitter" Rodtang Jitmuangnon

Demetrious Johnson is known as one of the best MMA grapplers in the world, but it was his striking that helped him claim the ONE flyweight world title against Adriano Moraes last year.

Johnson’s two performances against Moraes were night and day. After getting knocked out by ‘Mikinho’ in their first meeting, 'Mighty Mouse' looked more confident standing up against the taller titleholder in their rematch despite their obvious reach difference.

During the ONE Fight Night 6 post-event press conference last weekend, Demetrious Johnson shared where this confidence in his stand-up game came from:

Yeah, I think my confidence came from when I fought Rodtang. Rodtang was probably one of the best strikers in the world. The heaviest hitter under the ONE Championship's banner. I think fighting him kind of gave me back my confidence that I can stand and bang. And then obviously going back to the game plan, and really trusting my coach's game plan for that fight against Adriano [Moraes].”

When Demetrious Johnson signed up to fight ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a mixed-rules fight last year, some wondered if he’d bitten off more than he could chew, especially after suffering the first knockout loss of his career.

Rodtang is one of the most aggressive, heavy-handed, and technical fighters in the world. Even a skilled tactician like Johnson could find himself flat on his back staring at the arena lights against ‘The Iron Man’.

However, ‘Mighty Mouse’ surprisingly held his own in the Muay Thai round and even stood toe-to-toe with Rodtang in the first round. Ultimately, he was able to survive the round and went on to fight in his natural sport of MMA. Demetrious Johnson submitted Rodtang with a rear-naked choke in the second round.

Fighting Adriano Moraes immediately after the Rodtang fight, it’s not hard to believe that he’d found new confidence in his striking. He was able to find the combinations against the defending world champion until he set up the finishing sequence in round four; a right cross and flying knee.

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Demetrious Johnson ready to fight in front of American fans for the first time in years

When Demetrious Johnson steps into the 1stBANK Center in Colorado to fight this May, it’ll be the first time the American has fought in his home country in almost five years.

At the ONE Fight Night 6 post-fight press conference, Demetrious Johnson was asked about his feelings towards competing on American soil. Here’s what he had to say:

"I'm super excited. Obviously, I started my career in the United States of America and I'll come back to it this late in my career. It's amazing. So I'm very happy for the fans, the fans over in America, to get the opportunity to see me fight once again."

While the first two fights between Johnson and Moraes were contested on the neutral soil of Singapore, it will be interesting to see what kind of effect a home-field advantage will have for the defending flyweight world champion.

ONE Fight Night 10 goes down May 5 from Broomfield, Colorado, USA, and airs on Amazon Prime Video for North American subscribers.