MANILA — ONE Championship chief executive officer Chatri Sityodtong bared that the organization has a shortlist of potential opponents of Demetrious Johnson in his first match under the said banner.
“There are a few names for DJ off the bat. We have Kairat Akhmetov, who’s 25-3, Adriano Moraes, who’s 17-3. We [also] have Danny Kingad and Gianni Subba,” he said during a conference call introducing Johnson as ONE’s latest signing on Monday.
Johnson came to ONE as a result of the completion of the first ever mixed martial arts trade.
Both ONE and the Ultimate Fighting Championship agreed to swap the contracts of Johnson and the erstwhile retired Ben Askren.
Except for Subba, the fighters mentioned by Sityodtong have either contended or even held the One flyweight title currently owned by Kingad’s fellow Team Lakay member, Geje Eustaquio.
Speaking of Eustaquio, Sityodtong said that they are not discounting a possibility of him defending his belt in Johnson’s ONE debut.
“Obviously, Geje as well is in the mix,” Sityodtong continued. “[We have] a whole list of flyweights who would be an excellent match-up with DJ.”
However, Johnson said that it will be fine for him if he will not have Eustaquio in his debut fight.
“I’m not looking to go there and get an immediate title shot,” Johnson said. “I have no problem working my way up to earn that championship spot.”
Sityodtong then added that he wanted Johnson at his peak performance when he debuts.
“I’d have to sit down with DJ as well in terms of timing. I want him come in 100 percent. Nothing’s sure of it,” Sityodtong quipped. “Of course, there’s a lot of expectations around the world watching DJ compete in ONE Championship for the first time, so he’s gonna be 100 percent ready.”
Johnson said that he is targeting to make his ONE debut early next year. ( Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA)
