Former UFC flyweight champion Johnson has announced his retirement from MMA competition.
The champ had a good career at the UFC as he became the first-ever 125-pound champion at the UFC. He also holds the record for the most title defenses in UFC history with 11 straight defenses: most wins in UFC lightweight, most flyweights fight, and most submissions in UFC title fights. He spent seven years with the organization and compiled many accomplishments.
Johnson had a good run at the UFC, but this came to an end after he was traded to ONE Championship in exchange for Ben Askren. Johnson went on to make a name for himself in the ONE Championship, capturing the flyweight title and the ONE flyweight Grand Prix title.
The fighter will most likely be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and his former promotion owner, Dana White, couldn’t be happier for him.
“Absolutely (he will be inducted),” White said definitively.
“Yeah, I didn’t know that [he retired],” White said about Johnson when speaking to Grind City Media.
“Good for him. Incredible career he had. I never had a problem with Demetrious Johnson. Absolutely [he’s a UFC Hall of Famer].”
Although the fighter put on a good show and record, Johnson struggled to gain acceptance from fans in the UFC.
“Listen if you go back to when he was here, I was defending him from the fans,” White said. “Who’s defended Demetrious Johnson more than me?”
After his closing speech and retirement announcement at the ONE Championship, it is uncertain what lies next for the champ. However, one sure thing is that the fighter will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. His record will be a legacy to all.
