- George Chung
- Oct 24, 2024
- 3 min read
Former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Adriano Moraes has a new motivation to win at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Friday, November 8.
When “Mikinho” makes his walk down the aisle inside Lumpinee Stadium to square off with Danny Kingad, he will be doing so as a father.
“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,” Moraes revealed to ONE.
“I had a lot of doubts about this issue, but of course, with time, with experience, we mature to the idea. After I got married, my wife and I evolved and decided to be parents. It’s been really good. It was the best thing that ever happened in my life.”
Balancing his new life at home with preparing for a showdown of top contenders has proved to be challenging for Moraes. However, he has loved every minute of the journey.
“It’s only been three months, but I’m doing my best. It’s been a marathon, but it’s been really nice, and I’m enjoying every moment with them,” the former flyweight champion remarked.
“I was already defending the queen, and now I’m defending the little princess of the house.”
The match could elevate the winner to a position to challenge for the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title. Moraes is currently ranked as the #1 contender in the division, and Kingad holds the #3 slot.
While the match has huge implications within the division following Demetrious Johnson’s retirement, it is just as much a driving force for Moraes to leave a legacy for his daughter to view when she is older.
“I am definitely more motivated. I want to set an example. I want to show her that, with a lot of love and dedication, everything we do will work out. I want her to be proud of her father, of everything I have built and will continue to build for our family,” the Brazilian said.
“I want her to one day be able to see my story, everything I went through to get here, and for this to serve as inspiration for her so that she can also achieve her dreams.”
“Mikinho” is already planning for his daughter’s future, and he envisions sports as a vital piece of her childhood.
As an athlete, he knows the values and traits that are instilled through sports will help build her character in addition to the skills she’ll gain.
“Lila will definitely practice a lot of sports. I believe that sports are what help to discipline children. Swimming is one of the most complete sports. It helps people to breathe and get in good physical condition,” Moraes said.
“And jiu-jitsu, of course. She will have to learn self-defense. I really dream of seeing her in a kimono, going to classes, training with her daddy. And in jiu-jitsu, she will learn about respect, because on the mat, children learn discipline.”
As a BJJ black belt, Moraes understands the positives the sport can bring. The American Top Team athlete has shown his elite ground game on the global stage throughout his career.
That is why he plans to make Brazilian jiu-jitsu a pillar for his daughter when she’s old enough.
“Just as jiu-jitsu changed my life and the lives of many people, many of my friends and acquaintances, I am sure that jiu-jitsu will be an indispensable tool for Lila’s growth,” Moraes commented.
“I am sure it will be very good for her, just as it is good for all children. I am sure that jiu-jitsu will help her a lot in life.”
ONE 169 airs live and free on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada on Friday, November 8.
