Australian demolition contractor Reece 'Lightning' McLaren believes he has finally found his stride and is ready to take on the biggest challenge of his career.
Last Friday, May 3, on Prime Video in the US in ONE Fight Night 22: Sandel vs. Diachikova, the No. 4 ranked MMA contender in the flyweight MMA rankings believed in No. 5 “Wolf Warrior” Fu Yong. The decision was made in a fiercely contested decision. It was his 10th victory in the world's largest martial arts organization.
After his impressive victory at Lumphini Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, he spoke to ONEFC.com about his performance and how it positions him to win the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title. .
After nearly a decade of competing against the best of the best in ONE, Lightning believes he has done enough to prove he deserves a gold medal.
He explained why he deserves a shot at the world's most prestigious flyweight MMA belt:
“Regardless of ranking or not, I feel like any stage, any win, I'm one step closer to winning a world title.I've been with ONE for almost nine years, [with] 10 wins. It's been a long journey, man. I feel like I’ve paid my dues. The world's best flyweight competes in his ONE Championship. I've been saying that for years. ”
Sitting atop the flyweight MMA division is the all-time great Demetrius “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. The American icon has not competed since his unforgettable trilogy win over rival Adriano Moraes in May 2023 and has been harboring thoughts of retirement ever since.
McLaren was quick to pay tribute to the champion, pushing back against the idea that Johnson was afraid to defend his gold medal.
But he also says “Mighty Mouse” needs to decide on its next move soon to keep the department moving forward.
“No, he's never scared. That guy's the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. There's no way he should be scared.
“At the same time, don't hold back. Try it in the interim or ‘I Want My Flyweight Belt’ – After Pivotal Win Over Hu Yong, Reece McLaren Determined To Claim MMA Gold Either that or just give up, dude. ”
If not a world title showdown with Johnson next, some fans believe McLaren could get a rematch with No. 3 ranked contender Danny Kingad, who beat the Lightning in a close decision in 2019. I have doubts.
Naturally, the Australian would like a chance to avenge that loss, but his ultimate focus remains on the coveted golden belt.
He said:
“I think everyone knows I won that fight. I think he's been hiding in the mountains ever since I called the fight.
“Like I said, I'm not here to stand in line. I'm not here to play games. I want that belt, dude. Flyweight belt. I want.”
McLaren proud of Australia's win
Beyond the impact a win would have on the world title, Reece McLaren went into the fight with Fu Yong with extra pressure on his shoulders.
With Australian fighters Alex Roberts and Isaac Michel losing their respective recent world title fights, and “Mini-T” Danial Williams and Duke Didier also losing in their previous bouts, Australia will be back in action at ONE Fight Night. He was desperate for victory. twenty two.
'Lightning' admits that ending Australia's losing streak was more important to him than ending Hu's winning streak.
“[Danial Williams] said [to] Get Australia back in the win column. I think Australia in ONE was on a bit of a losing streak. I think we lost the last four games.So for me, that was more important than winning for him. [streak], whether you can believe it or not. I was so focused on this fight that I don't want to think I brought it on myself. ”