ONE Championship will characteristic two flyweight bouts in Colorado on its historic U.S. debut, ONE Battle Evening 10. Whereas the trilogy bout between Demetrious Johnson and Adriano Moraes deservingly grabs the headlines, a high-stakes contender’s bout shall be featured earlier within the night. #2-ranked flyweight contender Kairat Akhmetov will meet #3-ranked Reece McLaren.
But it surely won’t be their first time assembly on the worldwide stage. In March 2019, Akhmetov defeated McLaren by a unanimous choice. The Aussie is aware of what Akhmetov brings to the desk however feels his evolution as a martial artist would be the deciding issue.
“Yeah, I didn’t actually battle too properly. I made a number of errors, and if you’ve watched sufficient preventing and achieved it sufficient, you already know if you’re bluffing and if you wish to battle, and now I positively wish to battle. Now, I do know precisely the place I went fallacious and what occurred. So I immediately grew from it. And I’m tremendous pumped to get again in there with me and check this new ability,” mentioned McLaren.
“>“Lightning” has mentioned that he was not trusting his pure energy earlier than making the change to Boonchu Gymnasium to coach alongside John Wayne Parr. After feeling the power of Akhmetov of their first assembly, he feels extra comfy exchanging within the pocket. Beneath the tutelage of Parr, McLaren has elevated his hanging.
It has been evident in his final two victories. McLaren completed each bouts however showcased his arms in every efficiency. He expects to proceed to point out off his improved arms in opposition to the #2-ranked contender.
“>“This is among the craziest issues, and I’ve identified this for a very long time, is I wanted pads. I wanted to do pads. Virtually all my fights, I’ve by no means achieved pads like I’m doing now. Like, you wish to get battle match, you battle, however clearly, we will’t battle. That’s not good to your longevity. However smashing pads day in and day trip with the one and solely John Wayne Parr. I imply, man, I believe the proof is within the pudding on how my hanging has been going,” mentioned “Lightning.”
The boldness of the Australian star is constructing. His wrestling has remained a power, and his hanging has begun to match his grappling for a well-rounded assault. As he has improved, McLaren feels he has handed by his fellow flyweight.
“As I mentioned the primary time, he’s a bit caught within the mud. I’ll make him look extra caught within the mud this time. I’ve full respect for Kairat. However I’m going to coach. I hope [he] trains as laborious as I do,” mentioned the Aussie.
“>With the principle occasion set to complete the trilogy between Johnson and Moraes, McLaren understands an enormous victory has the possibility to launch him right into a title tilt. All the pieces is pointing to it being a title eliminator. Though he isn’t trying previous Akhmetov, “Lightning” likes how he matches up with whoever walks out of Denver with the gold.
“Yeah, I believe I’ll match up nice in opposition to [them]. I acquired an enormous proper hand. I’ve an enormous left foot and a much bigger proper hand, and I’m studying to make it rely. It’s one of many fights. Moraes [has been] endlessly [at the top], and clearly, DJ is the GOAT. So that you at all times wish to battle the very best. If you wish to be the very best, you bought to beat the very best. I’ll be on a three-fight win streak. I simply beat quantity two. So it has to place me first in line. I actually imagine the winner of this one shall be preventing for gold. So yeah, much more purpose to tune in,” mentioned McLaren.
ONE Battle Evening 10 takes place on the 1stBank Middle in Colorado on Friday, Could 5. The motion begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Prime Video. The occasion is free for all U.S. and Canadian Amazon Prime members.
