Reece McLaren willing to step in for Adriano Moraes or Demetrious Johnson in the ONE Fight Night 10 main event

Reece McLaren is prepared for a short-notice world championship opportunity at ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video.

On May 5, McLaren looks to extend his two-fight winning streak in a rematch against former ONE flyweight world champion Kairat Akhmetov.

Although he’s focused on Akhmetov, ‘Lighting’ hasn’t given up on the opportunity of being a backup for the main event, which sees Demetrious Johnson defending his ONE flyweight world title against Adriano Moraes.

During an interview with ONE, McLaren had this to say about potentially filling for either Johnson or Moraes:

“I feel so honored to be asked to be on this card. To be given the opportunity that if the main events falls out, we may get a bit of a look in. It’s goosebumps sort of stuff.”

McLaren last fought in October 2022, defeating Windson Ramos by a second-round knockout. The number four-ranked flyweight has nine wins in ONE Championship, including seven wins inside the distance.

Meanwhile, Akhmetov hasn’t lost since being dethroned in January 2018, winning his last five fights to solidify the number two ranking. He now looks to earn a world title shot by taking out ‘Lighting’ at 1stBank Center.

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Reece McLaren believes he’s evolved more than Kairat Akhmetov

Reece McLaren fought Kairat Akhmetov in March 2019 during the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix quarterfinals. Akhmetov won by unanimous decision in a thrilling three-round battle. Four years later, the top-tier flyweights meet again at ONE Fight Night 10.

During an interview with ONE, McLaren had this to say about the biggest difference since his first fight against ‘The Kazah’:

“I think it’s unrecognizable [how much I’ve changed]. I think I’ve shown that I’m more diverse. I’m different. Totally different. I don’t want to bag on Akhmetov, but with all respect to him, it’s like, Man, you’re still the same.”

Reece McLaren vs. Kairat Akhmetov isn’t the only intriguing matchup on May 5. There are also three world championship fights - Demetrious Johnson vs. Adriano Moraes 3 for the ONE flyweight world title, Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Edgar Tabres for the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title, and Mikey Musumeci vs. Osamah Almarwai for the ONE flyweight submission grappling world title.

ONE Fight Night 10 can be seen live and for free by North American Prime Video subscribers.