'I'm leaving as champ'… MMA legend branded one of the greatest of all time retires at 38 after historic 15-year career
07/09/2024 09:38
One of the greatest fighters to ever lie; Demetrious Johnson, has retired from MMA competition after 15 years atop the sport.
The legendary ‘Mighty Mouse’ hadn’t fought since May of last year, but has been competing in grappling tournaments at the black belt level and looking sharp in recent months. He turned 38 last month, and has now opted to hang up his gloves while still holding ONE Championship gold at bantamweight.
Johnson announced his decision last night in Denver after being entered into the promotion’s Hall of Fame. And despite being asked to return his world title belt, he insisted that he would be leaving the sport as a world champion and refused to relinquish the strap.
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Demetrious Johnson announces retirement from MMA
Demetrious Johnson had to choke back tears during a speech to fans last night where he announced that he would be retiring from the sport. He has been fighting professionally since 2009, and set myriad records in the UFC before trading to ONE Championship in 2019.
“First off I want to say thank you to the fans,” Johnson said in an emotional speech at ONE’s event in Colorado last night. “You guys have always been amazing to me as I live out my dreams and show my passion through martial arts.
“I want to say thank you to all of my teammates from the very beginning back in 2006 all the way to 2024, it’s been a long journey. Thank you to Matt, thank you to my wife and my children, my mother in law.
“Thank you you guys, you have made me a better person, a better athlete, thank you to my wife for always encouraging me to pursue my passion, my dreams. Thank you to everybody at ONE Championship; the staff, the competition team, social media team, we appreciate you.
“Thank you to Chatri [ONE Championship’s owner] for giving me the opportunity to display my martial arts on this platform. Like I said last time, I sound like a damn mouse, when I came here to Denver, Colorado I told you guys that was potentially my last fight.
“I was not lying, I am done competing in Mixed Martial Arts and I want to say thank you guys so much for giving me the opportunity. I appreciate you guys.”
Demetrious Johnson refuses to give up ONE Championship title as he retires with the belt
Following his speech and being inducted into the ONE Championship Hall of Fame, Johnson joked that he wouldn’t be leaving his belt in the cage. He claimed that he was told to bring the title, but that he wants to leave the sport as champion.
Johnson has had a famous run that included a record-breaking run of world title defences in the UFC before leaving for ONE Championship. He has since branched out into social media with a successful YouTube and streaming career, and appears to have almost all of his faculties despite years in combat.
“Mighty’s out,” he said towards the end of the speech after adding in his appreciation for his dad and brother. “They wanted me to leave the belt in here, I ain’t doing that s***. I came into this sport as a champ, I’m leaving my black a** as a champ too!”
Fans laud Demetrious Johnson as MMA’s GOAT after retirement announcement
Despite some heavy competition from the likes of Henry Cejudo, there is a widely held belief that Demetrious Johnson is the greatest flyweight to ever compete in MMA. There is even a school of thought that he can compete in the ‘GOAT’ discussion pound-for-pound with the likes of Jon Jones.
And after announcing his retirement last night, fans took to social media in droves to congratulate him on a legendary career. “The GOAT retired,” one wrote in a post that was liked over 1,100 times. “Legendary career. Thank you Demetrious Johnson.”
Famed MMA journalist Ariel Helwani also penned a touching tribute to Johnson, writing: “Demetrious Johnson, one of the absolute greatest MMA fighters to ever compete, just announced his retirement at the ONE Championship event in Denver.
“DJ, 38, walks away with a pro record of 25-4-1. He's one of the most decorated champions in UFC history and the greatest flyweight ever. No question.
“Most importantly? He was one of the kindest, classiest and most professional people in MMA history. A true mensch. (And on a personal note, one of the best people I've ever met in any walk of life.) God bless, Mighty Mouse. Thank you.”
