"He is the Michael Jordan, I can be Lebron James" - Adriano Moraes on historic rivalry with Demetrious Johnson

Adriano Moraes is ready to begin a new chapter of his career when he makes his return to competition at ONE 169. Recently, his flyweight MMA career has been defined by three iconic fights with the greatest rival of his career.

Not many competitors got the opportunity to share the cage with the legendary Demetrious Johnson before he announced his retirement at ONE 168: Denver in September. Moraes and 'Mighty Mouse' produced an incredible trilogy of fights with one another, and make up such a significant part of both of their careers.

In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated before he returns at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Nov. 8, Adriano Moraes reflected on their time as the two top fighters in the division:

"I think he achieved a lot of goals in his career, a lot of good wins. I think he did everything for the division as an MMA athlete... It's an honor to have him on my legacy as a flyweight, and be the first man to finish the GOAT."

He went on to add:

"And every time they gonna remember Demetrious Johnson, they gonna remember me too. I like to say, 'He is the Michael Jordan, I can be Lebron James'. So for our division, it's amazing. But it is what it is, the show has to continue."

---

Adriano Moraes and the division are ready to move on

Following the third and final fight between Adriano Moraes and Demetrious Johnson, the division needed a reset. In many ways, the new era at flyweight begins at ONE 169, where Moraes will return to face Danny Kingad in a fight that will surely have big implications on the title picture.

The former divisional king will obviously be in search of reclaiming the belt that he lost to Johnson in their rematch. First, he must to get back in the win column by beating Kingad on Nov. 8.

ONE 169 will be available to active Amazon Prime Video subscribers in North America live at U.S. primetime this Friday, Nov. 8.