Demetrious Johnson ready to uncrown 'The King' in Japan

Johnson is aware that Filipino warrior Danny “The King” Kingad could present some danger in the final, but he is more than ready to test himself against one of the finest up and coming flyweight athletes in ONE Championship.

“Kingad is known for his striking, not his wrestling, and I’m just going to come in using every single aspect of martial arts,” the 32-year-old pointed out.

“I watched his win live. It was a great performance. Reece McLaren is a very tough competitor. It was a great grappling exchange, and I’m looking forward to taking [Kingad] on in Japan.”

Both finalists booked their spots in the final at ONE: DAWN OF HEROES in Manila, Philippines on Friday, 2 August.

The 12-time mixed martial arts World Champion advanced to the final after a dazzling performance against Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada inside the Mall Of Asia Arena.

Kingad, meanwhile, produced a career-best display in a back-and-forth thriller against McLaren.

“Wada was definitely a tough, game opponent. He was very tricky, very well experienced, and at the end of the day, these are always going to be tough fights,” Johnson said.

“I always expect myself to get a finish, and I wasn’t able to, but I’m okay with it. I’m happy and healthy, and now I’m looking forward to competing in Tokyo.”

With his focus on the final, Johnson knows he is one step closer to his initial goal when he first signed with ONE in October 2018 – which is to become the ONE Flyweight World Champion.

But the AMC Pankration and Evolve MMA representative stresses that he will not rush toward that ambition.

“I’m just concentrating on what’s right in front of me,” Johnson said.