By Fresh off his impressive unanimous decision victory over Hu Yong at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video, Reece McLaren isn’t holding back his aspirations. The Australian fighter is adamant that his recent win, his 10th under the ONE Championship banner, solidifies his contention for a shot at Demetrious Johnson and the ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship.
In a post-fight statement, McLaren boldly asserted, “I feel that I am, at any stage, on any win, one step away from that World Title shot.” This confidence stems not only from his recent triumph but also from his consistent performance, having won three of his last four bouts.
For McLaren, the journey to championship contention has been a long and arduous one, spanning nearly nine years in ONE Championship. Despite setbacks, including a hard-fought battle for the ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title against Bibiano Fernandes in December 2016, McLaren remains undeterred.
Having shifted his focus to the flyweight division and establishing himself as a top contender, McLaren believes he has proven his worthiness to compete for a World Title at 135 pounds. He emphasizes the caliber of talent in the ONE Championship flyweight division, asserting that he has long been among the best in the world in that weight class.
While McLaren’s primary target is Demetrious Johnson, he remains open to other challenges. One such opportunity he is eager to pursue is a rematch with Danny Kingad, a familiar opponent. McLaren is convinced that a rematch with Kingad would further solidify his position in the division, as he believes he decisively won their previous encounter.
Asserting his determination, McLaren states, “I’m not here to wait in any line. I’m not here to play any game. I want that belt, man. I want my flyweight belt.” With his eyes firmly set on championship glory, McLaren’s call for a title shot reverberates through the flyweight division, setting the stage for potentially thrilling matchups in the future.
