After winning his flyweight debut just last November, Filipino-Australian warrior Reece “Lightning” McLaren is on the fasttrack to greatness as he is set to challenge ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes. The bout will serve as the main event for ONE: Visions of Victory on Friday, March 9 at the Axiata Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“It’s going to be a phenomenal year for martial arts in Malaysia, as ONE Championship continues to showcase Asia’s greatest cultural treasure on the global stage. Malaysia has an incredible group of talented athletes and it is our privilege to share their amazing stories,” said ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong.
“ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes returns to action to face rising star Reece McLaren in what should be an epic showdown of top flyweights.”
Reece “Lightning” McLaren, 26, is an Australian flyweight from Toowoomba, Australia, who sports a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a BJJ record of 270-28-0. In the cage, he owns a professional record of 10-5.
McLaren made his ONE Championship debut in 2015 with a spectacular submission victory over Mark Striegl, and then followed up that win with a unanimous decision victory over the highly-regarded talent Muin Gafurov.
In December of 2016, he challenged Bibiano Fernandes for the ONE Bantamweight World Championship, falling by split decision. In his most recent bout, McLaren impressed in his flyweight debut, submitting top contender Anatpong Bunrad with a first round Bravo choke.
Next for McLaren is a shot at reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes.
Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes of Brazil is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with well-rounded striking and grappling skills. He is the reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion, and one of the most highly-skilled and dominant world champions in martial arts.
Rarely opposed in the ONE Championship cage, Moraes has thoroughly defeated all-comers in his division, including talented Filipino flyweight Danny “The King” Kingad in his most recent title defense.
The winner will have a chance to unify the Flyweight crown against ONE Interim Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio.
Also fighting in the card are Filipinos Danny Kingad and Burn Soriano.
