All week long at ONE 168 fight week in Denver, CO there was a rumor that MMA legend Demetrious Johnson would make a big announcement, and he did just that letting the world know that he is indeed retiring from MMA competition.
Johnson (25-4-1) held titles in both ONE Championship and the UFC paving the way for the flyweight divisions to thrive in the biggest MMA promotions in the world.
During his time in the UFC Johnson put together a 15-2 record becoming arguably the greatest martial artist of all time. Johnson scored victories over the likes of Ian McCall, Joseph Benavidez, John Dodson, Kyoji Horiguchi, Henry Cejudo, and Tim Elliot.
In the now infamous “trade” between the UFC and ONE Championship Johnson continued his winning ways with a 6-1 record under the banner. Victories over Yuya Wakamatsu, Tatsumi Wada, Danny Kingad, and Rodtang Jitmuangnon. The staple of his ONE Championship run was the trilogy with Adriano Moraes which he finished at ONE’s US debut in 2023.
Johnson told the crowd in Denver that although he was walking away from MMA he would still be part of the martial arts world. Recently he’s taken to competing in Jiu Jitsu tournament as seen all over social media.
“Thank you to Matt, thank you my wife, thank you to my children,” Johnson said in the cage while tears streamed down his face.
“Thank you to you guys. You guys have made me a better person. I am done. I am done competing in mixed martial arts. Thank you guys so much for giving me the opportunity.”
