Demetrious Johnson Announces MMA Retirement; Former UFC, ONE Flyweight Champion

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 7, 2024

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Flyweight legend Demetrious Johnson announced his retirement from MMA on Friday at ONE 168.

An emotional Johnson said goodbye to the sport and became the first inductee into ONE Championship’s Hall of Fame.

The 38-year-old leaves with a professional record of 25-4-1. His last fight saw him take the rubber match against Adriano Moraes by unanimous decision in May 2023.

He made his pro debut in 2009 and signed with UFC in 2011. By 2012, he was crowned as the inaugural flyweight champion after beating Ian McCall and then Joseph Benavidez in a four-man tournament.

Johnson proceeded to put UFC’s flyweight division in a metaphorical chokehold. He successfully defended his title in 11 straight fights, breaking Anderson Silva’s record.

Henry Cejudo finally brought Johnson’s streak to an end, winning a split decision at UFC 227 in August 2018 to become the new flyweight champion.

Johnson joined ONE Championship later that year in what amounted to a trade sending Ben Askren the other way to the UFC. He beat Yuya Wakamatsu by submission in his first ONE fight in March 2019. While his first crack at ONE’s flyweight belt was unsuccessful, resulting in a knockout loss to Moraes in 2021, he avenged the defeat in 2022.

Johnson’s retirement means ONE needs a new flyweight champion with the title now vacated.