Demetrious Johnson reflects positively on his trade from the UFC to ONE Championship, citing financial benefits and career satisfaction as key reasons for his contentment, while acknowledging the foundational role his UFC career played in building his brand.
When it comes to the winners and losers in the only trade to ever take place in MMA history, Demetrious Johnson knows how he fared after being sent to ONE Championship in exchange for Ben Askren.
The 38-year-old former UFC flyweight champion, who announced his retirement back in September, admits that moving to the Singapore-based promotion was the best decision of his career. Financial benefits? Yeah, probably at the top of his list.
"ONE Championship is the best thing that’s ever happened to me," Johnson told MMA Fighting. "The reason why I say that is on multiple fronts."
He mentioned a lawsuit—UFC antitrust—that just got preliminary approval. Someone said you take 23 percent of whatever you made in the company, and that’s what you earned.
From 2011 to 2017, Johnson had 17 fights—12 were world championship bouts. He did all the math and realized how little he made. Gutted? Absolutely.
Financial disclosures from one of two UFC antitrust lawsuits showed how much fighters were paid versus total revenue. Numbers varied yearly, but athletes typically got 16-20 percent of overall revenue.
That’s way lower than major sports leagues like the NFL or NBA, where players earn around 50 percent based on collective bargaining agreements negotiated by unions.
Johnson was shocked when he compared his pay with UFC’s earnings. Gobsmacked by the numbers.
"For being one of the best fighters in the world… I was like fck, goddmn," Johnson said. "If I would’ve done NBA or baseball, it would’ve been pennies on the dollar compared to what I made in the UFC."
He wonders how much non-championship fighters earned if he felt shortchanged as a champion. Curious about their compensation.
Johnson was UFC’s first and only flyweight champ until losing a close decision to Henry Cejudo, marking his final UFC bout. For over five years ruling the division, he knew other talented fighters weren’t earning more than him.
"The first thing that came to my mind… If I was the champion and did 17 fights during that time frame… I’m curious what the next guy felt."
Names like Joseph Benavidez, Ray Borg, John Dodson, and John Moraga came up. Johnson wondered how they felt if he, as a champion, felt underpaid.
Looking back now, Johnson says the unprecedented trade to ONE Championship altered his life forever with zero regrets.
Even though it happened after losing his title to Cejudo, he wouldn’t change a thing about that result.
"It was the best career decision I ever made," Johnson said. "I love ONE Championship for it and I’m still involved with them."
If he’d beaten Cejudo? He thinks he’d still be stuck in UFC fighting for more money. Instead? He moved to ONE Championship and made more money. No complaints there.
Everything worked out as it should have. Grateful for how things played out.
Despite ONE Championship being the best solution for his career, Johnson isn’t bitter about his UFC treatment.
He signed every contract and bout agreement sent his way—knew what he was getting paid.
ONE’s interest stemmed from his UFC career; no ill will towards former employers.
After retiring, UFC CEO Dana White praised him as a lock for Hall of Fame. Despite past disagreements, Johnson appreciated it and wouldn’t turn down that honor.
"Let’s not get it twisted. I’m grateful for my time in the UFC because it gave me a platform," Johnson said. "When I went to Asia, I already had a fan base."
His achievements in UFC? Unmatched—world champion, pound-for-pound best fighter, 11 consecutive title defenses.
No ill will towards Dana White or UFC success; it’s wasted energy otherwise. His time there was amazing; he’d accept any award gladly.