Martial arts fans in Singapore should have been on the lookout last week.
Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson was in town to soak up the Singaporean experience and weather before he flew to Manila, Philippines for ONE: DAWN OF HEROES.
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This Friday, 2 August, the American faces Japan’s Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada in the semifinals of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix at the Mall Of Asia Arena in the Philippine capital.
Outside of the usual media responsibilities, “Mighty Mouse” split his time between training at Evolve MMA and sightseeing in the Lion City.
In just his second visit here, the Washington native was already impressed with the garden city-state.
“I just love how clean it is,” remarked Johnson. “I’m taking my wife to Gardens by the Bay. I saw a picture and it looks like a scene from the movie Avatar.”
Johnson also got his daily fill of protein, thanks to one of his favorite restaurants after his first visit to Singapore.
“The steaks at CUT [by Wolfgang Puck Steakhouse] are absolutely amazing,” Johnson recalled. “Also, I love Shakefarm, and I’m always headed there after I’m done with my training at Evolve.”
Thanks to ONE’s hydration policy, Johnson does not need to obsess over cutting weight and can instead afford to enjoy the food in Singapore.
The 32-year-old got his first taste of durian - a fruit that divides most of Asia because of its pungent smell - during a media shoot recently, and it looks almost certain to be his last.
“Someone brought me durian in the office,” Johnson said with a laugh. “The moment it came, I was like, ‘Man, is there a gas leak in here?’ I tried it, but man, that smell was awful.”
Though Johnson does not like the taste of durian, the multiple-time World Champion has definitely acquired a taste for Singapore’s different cultures.
“There is so much diversity here,” Johnson explained. “You have so many different ethnicities all living together.”
But now, with ONE: DAWN OF HEROES just a few days away, “Mighty Mouse” has turned his attention to his tilt with Wada.
“It’s going to be a tough fight. I’m sure I might battle a bit of adversity, which is totally fine,” Johnson declared. “It’s part of the sport of mixed martial arts, and I just have to go out there and fight.”
