Demetrious Johnson

By FCF Staff

Former UFC champs Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez will make their ONE Championship’s debut later this month, as the two will be competing at the promotion’s “A New Era” card on March 31st.

Johnson will face Yuya Wakamatsu in the opening round of the flyweight grand-prix, and Alvarez will battle Timofey Nastyukhin in the quarterfinals of the lightweight GP.

At a recent open workout in Las Vegas, here’s what Johnson and Alvarez had to say about the upcoming fights (quotes via press release).

Johnson stated: “I’ve been fighting for a very long time. I’ve been champion for six years. There’s no surprise that he (Yuya Wakamatsu) is going to look through my fights and look through my wins and losses, efficiencies and deficiencies. That’s what athletes do. But a fight is a fight. A lot of people, when I get into the ring or cage with them, the first thing they notice is my speed. I’m going to go out there, fight my butt off, use my heart, my technique, and my skill set, and go out there and take it to him.”A

Alvarez stated: “I’m not going to lie, I do research on my opponents. I’ve done the same for Timofey Nastyukhin. I know he beat Eduard Folayang, he beat Amir Khan, he beat some of the top guys in ONE Championship. He’s dangerous. He hits hard. He comes to fight and I accept the challenge. I want the most vicious, dangerous guys ONE Championship has to offer. I always show up, so I can’t wait.”

“A New Era” will take place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.