“So in hindsight, if I were to be under the UFC roster, I would probably be getting a rematch with Henry Cejudo,” Demetrious Johnson told MMA Fighting. “And if I was to beat Henry Cejudo then who knows what would have been next. If I would have lost to Henry Cejudo then I would be right where I was.
“So why not take the opportunity to get out of my contract? Go travel the world and compete somewhere else, right? I mean, I’ve done everything that… Close to everything that you possibly can in North America besides sell 2.5 million pay-per-views and do the double champ champ, or whatever it is. So for me, I think coming over here to Asia to fight in front of an audience that respects smaller weight classes… I wasn’t gonna pass it up.”
The first ever UFC flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson is back on Sunday, March 31. He’ll be making his ONE Championship debut in Tokyo, Japan against Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE: A New Era as the third fight on the seven-fight main card.
For Johnson, his historic UFC title reign spanned across six years and saw him defend his crown a record-setting 11 times.
Johnson’s last time out came at UFC 227 in August 2018 when he was dethroned by Henry Cejudo in their rematch. Since then, the former flyweight king has been recovering from some injuries while preparing for the ONE flyweight Grand Prix that he’s about to kick off.
It was no secret that during Johnson’s time as a UFC champion, he didn’t get the respect from the fans or his promotion that he perhaps rightfully deserved. He has already been vocal about feeling the difference in that regard with his new fighting home.
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/29/2019
Yuki Yoza believes his physical advantages will be enough to overcome one of kickboxing’s most decorated veterans. The Japanese striker is ready to prove his worth against a Thai legend.
The former K-1 Champion faces #3-ranked bantamweight kickboxing contender Petchtanong Petchfergus at ONE Friday Fights 116 on Friday, July 18, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Yoza, the bout represents a massive step up in competition.
Petchtanong Petchfergus believes his veteran expertise will be the deciding factor against one of kickboxing’s most promising prospects. The former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion has seen it all before.
The #3-ranked bantamweight kickboxing contender faces Japanese phenom Yuki Yoza at ONE Friday Fights 116 on Friday, July 18, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Petchtanong, the bout represents a chance to fast-track his return to title contention.
Johan Ghazali’s recent struggles have created doubt about his potential. The teenage sensation will have a chance to silence those critics in September.
The Malaysian-American flyweight faces Moroccan slugger Zakaria El Jamari at ONE Fight Night 35. The event goes down on Friday, September 5, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Ghazali, the booking represents a crucial opportunity to bounce back from consecutive setbacks.
Tagir Khalilov’s next challenge might be his toughest yet. The veteran striker will test his skills against one of the division’s most promising prospects.
The #5-ranked flyweight kickboxing contender faces undefeated Japanese sensation Hyu Iwata at ONE Fight Night 35 on Friday, September 5, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The bout could significantly impact the division’s top-five rankings.
Nearly two years of waiting and wondering finally came to an end for Jhanlo Mark Sangiao. The Filipino fighter got the result he desperately needed.
The 23-year-old bantamweight MMA fighter defeated Mongolian striker Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg by submission at ONE Fight Night 33 on Friday, July 11, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Sangiao, the victory represented much more than just another win.
Sometimes the most frustrating moments in combat sports happen when everything goes perfectly. Shadow Singha Mawynn experienced that cruel reality firsthand at ONE Fight Night 33.
Nontachai Jitmuangnon believes he holds a clear advantage over his next opponent. The question is whether he can capitalize on it.
The Thai striker faces #5-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Abdulla Dayakaev in featherweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 33 on Friday, July 11, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Nontachai, the bout represents a chance to extend his perfect ONE Championship record.
Two of the world’s elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners will make their ONE Championship debuts in Tokyo this November. The question is which American will leave the bigger impression.
Giancarlo Bodoni faces Rafael Lovato Jr. in middleweight submission grappling action at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. The bout represents a significant addition to an already star-studded card.
