SUMMARY
- Reece McLaren will return to fighting at ONE Fight Night: 22.
- With a win this Friday, McLaren wants a crack at the flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson.
Long-time contender Reece McLaren has his eye on a dream shot at the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title.
But first, “Lightning” must handle business with Hu Yong at ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell vs. Diachkova on Prime Video. The top-five ranked flyweights will throw down at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this Friday, May 3. Ahead of the pivotal fight, fourth-ranked McLaren told ONE that the stakes were high.
“I think he’s [Hu] on a three-fight win streak. He just beat the guy that beat Yuya [Wakamatsu], so this is a big turning point for myself and him, I believe. Yeah, the sky’s limit after this one if I can get the nod,” he said.
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“Honestly, I think I’ve got the wood over pretty much most of the ranked ONE Championship flyweights in the grappling aspect. Jiu-jitsu, submissions – give me an inch, and I’ll take that mile.”
The sky could well be the limit if McLaren can get the job done against Hu, and the Australian star is daring to dream.
Reece McLaren is chasing a dream matchup with Demetrious Johnson
Reece McLaren might have his hands full with Hu Yong at ONE Fight Night 22, but ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious Johnson is also on his radar. If he can triumph over fifth-ranked “Wolf Warrior” this weekend, a dream showdown with “Mighty Mouse” could be just around the corner.
“Yeah, I always think I’m one fight away from [the World Title shot],” he said.
“Honestly, I’m trying not to think too much into it. I’m just taking it one fight at a time. Honestly, after changing camp, [a] new year, we’re so ready to just get in and smash everyone.”
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McLaren has been a staple of the flyweight top five since the rankings were created. The 32-year-old has racked up nine victories under the ONE banner since making his promotional debut back in 2015.
Since an unsuccessful World Title shot at then-bantamweight MMA king and Brazilian legend Bibiano Fernandes the following year, McLaren has relentlessly continued his quest for gold. A win over Hu on May 3 would mark a big step in the right direction for the BJJ black belt.
