Demetrious Johnson announces MMA retirement; becomes first ONE Championship Hall of Famer

One of the greatest of all time, Demetrious Johnson, is now a retired mixed martial artist.

During the ONE 168 broadcast, Johnson (25-4-1) stepped into the cage to announce his retirement, ending a legendary professional MMA career that began in 2009. The former UFC flyweight champion has decided to call it a career, and is taking the ONE Championship flyweight (135 pounds) title with him.

While quipping jokes to help fight through tears, Johnson thanked his team and his family for being by his side throughout his journey in combat sports over the years.

“Like I said last time, when I came here to Denver, Colorado, I told you guys that was potentially my last fight, and I was not lying,” Johnson said during his speech. “I am done. I am done competing in mixed martial arts, and I want to say thank you guys so much for giving me the opportunity.”

The fight Johnson referred to was his championship trilogy bout victory against Adriano Moraes at ONE Fight Night 10, which took place last May in Denver.

Immediately after Johnson’s announcement, ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong also had one to make.

Who but the GOAT? Demetrious Johnson is your first inductee to the ONE Championship Hall of Fame!

Tune in to Prime Video and Sky Sports NOW to catch the rest of ONE 168: Denver!#ONE168 | LIVE NOW
How to watch https://t.co/NOuJb13LII
Watch Live on Prime … pic.twitter.com/foCzN4Ol38

— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) September 7, 2024

“He is not only the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, but also the first inductee into the Hall of Fame in ONE Championship, DJ!” Sityodtong said.

Johnson, who landed at No. 3 on MMA Junkie’s 30 Greatest UFC Fighters of All Time list, put himself on the map during his WEC days in 2010, prior to the UFC merger. He competed as a bantamweight in his first three UFC bouts, losing a decision to Dominick Cruz in a fight for the division’s title in 2011.

The next year, the UFC added the flyweight division, and Johnson claimed the vacant title by defeating Joseph Benavidez by split decision at UFC 152. He would go on to defend the title 11 times, creating multiple records in the process.

Johnson left the UFC after a split decision loss to Henry Cejudo in a title rematch, and joined ONE Championship, where he won the flyweight grand prix in his first three fights with the promotion. He then challenged for Adriano Moraes’ title, but was finished in the second round at ONE on TNT 1.

However, the following year, “Mighty Mouse” got his revenge spectacularly, creating a memorable fourth-round knockout by flying knee to become champion. Johnson went on to win a unanimous decision in the trilogy against Moraes, successfully defending the title in his final MMA contest.