Demetrious Johnson News

Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev

Demetrious Johnson explains why Islam Makhachev is his pound-for-pound #1 fighter

Harry Kettle - March 26, 2025

UFC legend Demetrious Johnson has explained why he considers Islam Makhachev to be his current #1 pound-for-pound fighter. Right now, nobody can touch Islam Makhachev. He has achieved some wonderful things in his mixed martial arts career already, and it doesn’t appear as if he’s going to slow down anytime soon. He is the undisputed UFC lightweight champion and as we look ahead to the future, it certainly feels as if he has the upper hand over the majority of contenders in that division. Even if he moved up to welterweight, you’d fancy his chances against plenty of the guys up there.

Demetrious Johnson ONE
Demetrious Johnson

Demetrious Johnson reiterates his desire to stick to MMA retirement

Harry Kettle - March 25, 2025

MMA legend Demetrious Johnson has reiterated his desire to stay retired, despite lots of offers coming in for him to break that retirement. There’s no denying that Demetrious Johnson is one of the greatest of all time. He has achieved some truly remarkable things throughout the course of his career, especially in the UFC and ONE Championship. Alas, the 38-year-old made it known recently that he would be retiring from mixed martial arts, walking away as one of the undisputed best to ever do it.

Demetrious Johnson
Demetrious Johnson

Demetrious Johnson understands Alexandre Pantoja callout, calls UFC champion best flyweight today

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 20, 2025

Demetrious Johnson has high praise for Alexandre Pantoja. Pantoja is the reigning UFC Flyweight Champion. His most recent title defense took place at the UFC 310 pay-per-view against Kai Asakura. Pantoja secured a second-round technical submission finish to retain the 125-pound gold. After the fight, Pantoja called out Johnson, who retired from pro MMA competition in Sept. 2024.

Jon Jones
Jon Jones

UFC legend goes off on Jon Jones record debate: 'It's still a loss, motherf*****'

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 12, 2025

One former UFC legend has heard enough of those who say Jon Jones should be undefeated. Jones is considered to be one of the best fighters to ever join the UFC roster. For years, “Bones” dominated the light heavyweight division and reigned as champion in the weight class before taking heavyweight gold. Jones only has one loss in his legendary pro MMA career. That was a disqualification against Matt Hamill back in 2009.

Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Demetrious Johnson reacts to Henry Cejudo’s third straight loss at UFC Seattle

Harry Kettle - February 24, 2025

MMA legend Demetrious Johnson has given his reaction to Henry Cejudo suffering his third straight defeat at UFC Seattle. In the main event of UFC Seattle, Henry Cejudo suffered some bad luck. In addition to a few other fouls, he was subjected to a nasty eye poke that eventually rendered him unable to continue in the contest.

Zhang Weili Valentina Shevchenko
UFC

UFC legend thinks Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili could be retirement fight

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 9, 2025

If Zhang Weili and Valentina Shevchenko end up sharing the Octagon, will it be their swan songs? Weili was in action this past Saturday, defending her strawweight gold against Tatiana Suarez in the co-main event of UFC 312. Zhang entered the fight as a slight underdog, but she put forth a dominant performance from the beginning of the second round until the final horn. She scored the unanimous decision victory after five rounds of action.

Alexandre Pantoja and Demetrious Johnson
Demetrious Johnson

Alexandre Pantoja makes fresh pitch to Demetrious Johnson for superfight

Harry Kettle - December 13, 2024

UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has made a fresh pitch to Demetrious Johnson for a possible superfight. Right now, Alexandre Pantoja is one of the most impressive champions in mixed martial arts. He took the belt in a great fight and ever since then, he’s been putting on some fantastic bouts – and successfully defending the belt along the way. Now, though, many are wondering what could be next for him.

Demetrious Johnson ONE
Demetrious Johnson

Demetrious Johnson opens up on decision to reject UFC title shot offer from Alexandre Pantoja: "My legacy doesn't need him"

Josh Evanoff - December 9, 2024

Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has no interest in facing Alexandre Pantoja. ‘The Cannibal’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 310 over the weekend. Back for the first time since defeating Steve Erceg in May, Alexandre Pantoja met former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura. The 31-year-old challenger entered the bout riding a wave of momentum, last knocking out Juan Archuleta last December.

Demetrious Johnson
ONE Championship

Demetrious Johnson reveals that leaving the UFC for ONE Championship was best decision ever

BJPENN.COM Staff - November 28, 2024

Demetrious Johnson dominated the flyweight division, but the MMA GOAT believes he wasn’t being compensated sufficiently until he joined ONE Championship.    “Mighty Mouse” explained to MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin this past week that being traded to ONE Championship allowed him to become financially sound for the first time in his life – despite a long, successful tenure in the UFC. 

Tom Aspinall, Jon Jones, UFC, Dana White
Jon Jones

Demetrious Johnson explains how Tom Aspinall can give Jon Jones issues in title fight: 'I feel comfortable saying that'

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2024

Demetrious Johnson believes Tom Aspinall has the physical traits to dethrone Jon Jones. Jones holds the UFC Heavyweight Championship, while Aspinall is the interim titleholder. Aspinall was in attendance for UFC 309 to witness Jones pick Stipe Miocic apart. “Bones” scored a third-round TKO finish courtesy of a spinning back kick to the solar plexus.

Demetrious Johnson, Mikey Musumeci
Mikey Musumeci

Demetrious Johnson says ONE attempted to lure him out of retirement for Mikey Musumeci super fight

Curtis Calhoun - October 16, 2024

MMA legend Demetrious Johnson nearly postponed his retirement for a special rules match against ONE grappling standout Mikey Musumeci. Johnson, after a decorated career in mixed martial arts, announced his fighting retirement in front of the world at ONE 168 in Denver. He retired as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all-time, including a record-setting run as the UFC’s inaugural flyweight champion.

Demetrious Johnson
Jon Jones

Demetrious Johnson explains why Jon Jones isn't the Michael Jordan of MMA

Harry Kettle - September 28, 2024

Demetrious Johnson has explained why he doesn’t see Jon Jones as the Michael Jordan of mixed martial arts. In the eyes of many, Jon Jones is the greatest fighter of all time. He’s done some incredible things in the sport and later this year, he’ll hope to cement his legacy even further when he battles Stipe Miocic. In doing so, he’ll be defending his UFC heavyweight championship against the man who many believe is the best heavyweight ever.

Demetrious Johnson
ONE Championship

Demetrious Johnson says Adriano Moraes vs. Danny Kingad should be for vacant belt

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 10, 2024

Following Demetrious Johnson’s retirement, the path to the ONE Championship flyweight MMA throne is now wide open.   The American superstar officially called it a career at ONE 168: Denver last Friday, September 6. 

Daniel Cormier, Demetrious Johnson
Demetrious Johnson

Daniel Cormier explains the "truest" part of Demetrious Johnson's MMA legacy

Curtis Calhoun - September 9, 2024

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier shared an under-discussed aspect of Demetrious Johnson’s greatness after the legend retired from MMA. Johnson announced his retirement from MMA at ONE 168 last weekend in Denver. He hadn’t fought since a trilogy win against Adriano Moraes at ONE Fight Night 10 and wants to transition full-time to grappling competitions.

Brandon Moreno, Demetrious Johnson
Demetrious Johnson

Brandon Moreno praises fellow flyweight Demetrious Johnson after retirement announcement: "Legend of the sport"

Josh Evanoff - September 9, 2024

Brandon Moreno has nothing but respect for UFC legend Demetrious Johnson. ‘Mighty Mouse’ made his return to the cage at ONE 168 over the weekend. Prior to the event, the promotion teased that Demetrious Johnson had a big announcement to make. While the 38-year-old had teased one final fight, that won’t be happening. Instead, Johnson announced his retirement in an emotional speech that had fans, and even the legend himself, in tears.

Demetrious Johnson
ONE Championship

Demetrious Johnson inducted into ONE Hall of Fame

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 9, 2024

Demetrious Johnson officially brought the curtains down on his illustrious MMA run at ONE 168: Denver.   “Mighty Mouse” emotionally bid farewell in front of a passionate crowd at Ball Arena last Friday, September 6. 

ONE Championship, Demetrious Johnson
UFC

Pro fighters react after MMA legend Demetrious Johnson announces his retirement

Chris Taylor - September 7, 2024

Several pro fighters took to social media to congratulate MMA legend Demetrious Johnson on his retirement from combat sports. Johnson (25-4-1 MMA) announced his retirement during the main card of Friday night’s ONE 168 event in Denver, Colorado.

Demetrious Johnson
ONE Championship

VIDEO | Demetrious Johnson announces his retirement at ONE 168

Curtis Calhoun - September 6, 2024

MMA legend Demetrious Johnson announced his retirement from the sport at ONE 168 on Friday in Denver. Johnson has been contemplating retirement since his trilogy win over Adriano Moraes in May 2023. He’s remained active in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at various tournaments but hasn’t fought in MMA since the Moraes victory.