On Friday night, former UFC Flyweight Champion and One FC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson called time on his career.
The man known as ‘Mighty Mouse’ started as an amateur in 2006, winning all nine of his amateur fights. In 2009, Johnson turned pro and fought Frankie Mendez at King of the Cage: Thunderstruck. Johnson defeated Mendez via rear-naked choke.
After winning his next two fights, Johnson was called up to the Zuffa-owned World Extreme Cagefighting, the parent company of the UFC. Johnson lost in his debut to UK fighter Brad Pickett. After that loss, Johnson went on a four-fight win streak, including a win over former Miguel Torres. During those four fights, WEC closed down, and the fighters moved to the UFC.
Johnson earned a shot at the Bantamweight Championship, which was held by Dominick Cruz at UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson. Cruz won the fight via unanimous decision. The UFC announced a new weight division, the Flyweight division. A four-man tournament was held to crown a flyweight Champion. Fighters included in the tournament were Joseph Benavidez, Yasuhiro Urushitani, Ian McCall, and Johnson.
At UFC on FX, Alves vs. Kampmann was the first night of the tournament. Benavidez faced off against Urushitani and won via knockout. Johnson and McCall met in the second fight, which was called a draw. Johnson and McCall would fight again, and Johnson would be victorious, setting up a fight with Benavidez.
Embed from Getty ImagesJohnson and Benavidez would meet in the co-main event at UFC 152. Johnson defeated Benavidez via split decision to become the inaugural Flyweight Champion. Johnson would then go on to defend the Flyweight Championship 11 times, cementing himself as one of the best fighters in the world.
Johnson’s five-year run as Flyweight Champion ended at the hands of Henry Cejudo. Soon after, Johnson was traded to One Fighting Championship for Ben Askren, starting a new chapter in his storied career.
Johnson fought in One six times and moved back to Bantamweight (though the division was called Flyweight in the promotion). With a record of 5-1, in the last three fights of his One career, Johnson fought Adriano Moraes, where Johnson won two out of three matches, retiring as a Champion.
It has been a pleasure watching Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson fight. I wish him all the best for his post-fight career.