Demetrious Johnson, the reigning ONE Championship flyweight champion, has been contemplating retirement or a return for a significant fight, while focusing on Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other ventures, but has yet to make a definitive decision about his MMA future.
Is Demetrious Johnson ready to make a definitive decision about the future of his fighting career?
Over the past 16 months, the reigning ONE Championship flyweight champion has been mulling retirement or possibly coming back for one more fight. But he hasn’t said for certain which will happen.
Johnson’s main focus lately? Competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments, building his YouTube channel, and expanding his businesses outside the sport.
He said just recently that he wasn’t “officially retired.” Admitted that MMA “is not on my mind right now.”
ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong can’t say with any certainty what Johnson is planning. But he supports whatever decision the 38-year-old veteran makes.
“I talked to DJ nine months ago, six months ago and a month ago,” Sityodtong told MMA Fighting. “Hey, the ball’s in your court,” he said. “Whatever you want to do, we’ll support it.”
Nine months ago, Johnson called him: “Hey Chatri, I want to make a run at gi jiu-jitsu. I want to try and compete in brown belt Worlds Masters.” He won that world championship.
He just competed in the black belt Masters last weekend and got to the quarterfinals. Unbelievable.
“Think about his resume as a martial artist,” Sityodtong continued. Elite striker, elite wrestler, elite jiu-jitsu competitor. And obviously the GOAT of mixed martial arts.
But he is 38 and hasn’t sparred in 18 months. I’m not pushing him, but the ball’s in his court. DJ’s in Denver. So let’s see what he says.
On Friday, ONE Championship lands in Denver for ONE 168. It’s the Singapore-based promotion’s second card in the United States with a third planned in Atlanta in November.
Johnson is expected to attend as a special guest. Sityodtong teased that perhaps the former UFC champion will address his future during the show.
“I think DJ’s in Denver for a reason,” Sityodtong said. “People have got to ask him why he’s in Denver.”
Maybe DJ’s going to announce the biggest fight ever or maybe he’s going to retire. I don’t know but let’s see.
Johnson has stated that for him to return to fighting, he would have to be enticed by the right opportunity.
Considering Johnson’s long list of accomplishments, Sityodtong understands why “Mighty Mouse” isn’t interested in just facing the next person in line for his flyweight title.
That’s why Sityodtong believes it really comes down to finding a particular opponent that would draw Johnson’s interest enough for him to fight again.
“It has to be a very big, big fight that would move the needle,” Sityodtong said. Not just a regular fight or title defense. Something very special. Unique.
Like the special rules fight he did with Rodtang [Jitmuangno]. Something crazy like that would get him adrenaline and goosebumps and ready to go.
On the flipside, Sityodtong can’t argue with Johnson if he decides to call it a career and retire with his record-setting resume since debuting back in 2006.
Johnson remains the longest reigning champion across any division in the UFC with 11 consecutive title defenses. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his accomplishments.
He claimed the ONE Flyweight Grand Prix title and then became ONE flyweight champion with a stunning knockout over Adriano Moraes. Avenging his own loss from the previous year.
Johnson has done just about everything he’s ever wanted so Sityodtong understands if he wants to hang up his gloves for good.
“The thing is he’s been there, done that,” Sityodtong said. “In the two largest organizations in the world, he’s conquered both mountains.”
He’s almost like those old Ronin warriors traveling the world fighting anybody to prove they’re the best. Very special. We all know DJ is very special.”