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Reece McLaren believes he is former flyweight MMA world champion Demetrious Johnson's heir apparent.
'Mighty Mouse' officially retired from mixed martial arts in an emotional ceremony at ONE 168: Denver last September.
It's now open season in the stacked 135-pound MMA ranks after 'DJ' left the throne wide open for the taking.
Among those with sights on the crown is one of the division's mainstays, the fourth-ranked McLaren, who will look to make a statement at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs Rasulov on Prime Video.
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'Lightning' wants to prove that he deserves a crack at the vacant title with a convincing victory over Jarred Brooks on Dec. 6 inside the fabled halls of Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
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Speaking in a ONE Championship interview ahead of this high-stakes encounter, McLaren shared his belief about being destined to rule the flyweight MMA division.
“With DJ retiring, I think for sure I’ll put my name way up at the top for a shot for the vacant belt coming off a good win. Look, I think I was scheduled to fight for that title so long ago that that title still wears on me. So I kind of feel like that still needs to happen."
Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada can watch ONE Fight Night 26 free as it happens live in US Primetime.
Reece McLaren says Demetrious Johnson is the undisputed GOAT
Reece McLaren recently weighed in on MMA's greatest of all-time debate. As far as 'Lightning' is concerned, Demetrious Johnson's accolades speak for itself, and his overall impact in the game is second to none.
The Australian hotshot told Sportskeeda MMA:
"He is the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, I believe. Look at what he's done, like Grand Prix, and championship belts defended."
The legacy that Demetrious Johnson left behind is indeed nothing short of iconic.
McLaren knows it will be impossible to fill 'DJ's shoes, but he'll certainly go down swinging in a bid to capture his old belt.
