Adriano Moraes, a distinguished Brazilian flyweight and former three-time ONE Championship titleholder, is poised for a significant new chapter in his career. He is set to face the undefeated British contender Muhammad Mokaev on the inaugural Netflix MMA event, an initiative in partnership with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.
The Early Life and Martial Arts Journey of “Mikinho”
Born in Brasília in 1987, Moraes overcame a challenging start to life, being adopted from an orphanage and growing up in a modest neighborhood in Brazil. His martial arts journey began in childhood with capoeira, which laid a foundational understanding of movement. Later, as a teenager, he transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a discipline that became the cornerstone of his grappling-centric mixed martial arts fighting style.
Dominance and Championship Reigns in ONE Championship
Moraes made history in September 2014 by submitting Geje Eustaquio to become ONE Championship’s first-ever flyweight champion. This achievement marked the beginning of his dominant tenure in the division. Over several years, he repeatedly proved his elite status, trading the title in rematches with formidable rivals like Kairat Akhmetov and Eustaquio. He consistently reclaimed his position at the top, eventually earning recognition as a three-time ONE flyweight world champion. His grappling prowess has consistently been his most formidable asset, with the majority of his victories achieved through diverse submissions such as guillotines, rear-naked chokes, and arm-triangle chokes against notable opponents including Danny Kingad, Yuya Wakamatsu, and Kosuke Suzuki.
The Historic Trilogy with Demetrious Johnson
Adriano Moraes garnered significant international attention through his highly publicized trilogy of fights with MMA icon Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. In April 2021, at ONE on TNT 1, Moraes delivered Johnson his first career stoppage loss, retaining his flyweight belt with a powerful second-round knee and subsequent punches. Johnson retaliated in August 2022, evening the series with a spectacular fourth-round flying knee knockout at ONE on Prime Video 1. The rubber match took place at ONE Fight Night 10 in May 2023, where Johnson ultimately won via unanimous decision.
New Horizons: A Netflix MMA Debut
Following his third encounter with Johnson, Moraes rebounded impressively in November 2024 at ONE 169, securing a second-round guillotine submission against former title challenger Danny Kingad. This victory further solidified his standing among the elite flyweights outside the UFC. Around this period, it was reported that Moraes’ long-term contract with ONE Championship had concluded, making him a free agent and paving the way for new opportunities.
Now, Moraes is scheduled to battle the undefeated British contender Muhammad Mokaev at the first-ever Netflix MMA event. This highly anticipated card, promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, is headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano and is set to take place on May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The event is part of Netflix’s strategic expansion into live combat sports, with the Mokaev vs. Moraes bout highlighted as a key MMA matchup, also featuring former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos.
Mokaev vs. Moraes: A Clash of Generations and Styles
This upcoming bout presents a compelling clash between Mokaev’s youthful energy and UFC experience against Moraes’ extensive championship pedigree from ONE. Mokaev is widely known for his strong wrestling and dominant top control, while Moraes counters with seasoned grappling, dangerous submissions, and valuable five-round experience from numerous title defenses. For Moraes, this Netflix platform offers a crucial opportunity to introduce himself to a broader global audience, test his skills against a formidable rising contender under a new promotional banner, and demonstrate that his years at the pinnacle of Asia’s flyweight division continue to translate effectively on a major international stage.
