“I never imagined for my life” - Former champ Adriano Moraes admits fatherhood is a whole new challenge for him

Adriano Moraes always found the best way to deal with his challenges inside and outside the cage, but he admitted that the newest chapter of his life is the most daunting yet most fulfilling one he has.

The former ONE flyweight MMA world champion became a father earlier this year when his wife gave birth to their baby daughter Lila.

Moraes said fatherhood was a whole new challenge for him especially after he grew up without a father figure to guide him.

He told ONE Championship in an interview:

"Our family has grown, thank God. Now we have a little angel named Lila. Fatherhood was something I never imagined for my life, especially because I was very afraid because I was a child who grew up without a father.”

Nevertheless, Moraes found his new role as rewarding as possible and gave him added motivation on his path back to the ONE flyweight MMA world title.

The Brazilian submission machine will face familiar foe Danny Kingad in a crucial flyweight MMA contest at the stacked ONE 169 card on Nov. 8, US primetime, at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

Adriano Moraes attempted to reclaim his lost throne from the legendary Demetrious Johnson at ONE Fight Night 10 but fell short in their trilogy match in Denver.

ONE 169 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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Adriano Moraes talks about the uncertainties fighters often face during matches

There are no certain outcomes in professional fighting, and Adriano Moraes has been in the profession for far too long to be baited into complacency.

In an interview with Party Starter Radio, Moraes detailed how fighters can rapidly change their emotions and behaviors leading to a fight.

Moraes said fight day is often the most stressful since the match is the culmination of both of the fighters' hard work and preparation:

"It’s hard to say because in a fight, you train hard, and you can have the best fight camp ever. But in a fight, it’s always 50/50. The emotions during the fight are crazy. Fighters have different behaviors during this time."

Watch Moraes' entire interview below: