"DJ went out a champ" - Demetrious Johnson has fans singing praises as ONE Championship's first HOF inductee
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong revealed flyweight MMA icon Demetrious Johnson as the inaugural inductee into the ONE Championship Hall of Fame immediately after 'Mighty Mouse' announced his MMA retirement during ONE 168: Denver last Friday, Sept. 6.
Watch the video below, which ONE posted on Instagram:
Fans applauded the ONE flyweight MMA world champion's enshrinement in the comments section, writing:
"What a GOAT 🐐 incredible career."
"🐐 Mighty Mouse, what a legend!"
"DJ went out a champ 🙌"
"Couldn't think of anyone more deserving @onechampionship first Hall of Famer. Well done on your career, DJ!"
"✨Amazing and sooo deserved. Thank you for all the amazing action @mighty 🐐"
Following his blockbuster move from the UFC to ONE Championship in October 2018, Johnson captured the ONE Flyweight MMA World Grand Prix Championship in October of the following year.
The AMC Pankration and Evolve MMA Star then had an epic trilogy with Adriano Moraes over the 135-pound MMA crown. Johnson handed 'Mikinho' his first knockout defeat in ONE Championship in their August 2022 rematch. He closed out their rivalry with a unanimous decision victory in May 2023.
Johnson made history with ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in March 2022 when they competed in the first-ever mixed-rules matchup, which Johnson won via second-round submission.
Demetrious Johnson is the only fighter ever to hold gold in both ONE Championship and UFC, where he successfully defended the UFC flyweight crown a record 11 straight times.
Demetrious Johnson shares career plans following MMA retirement
Though Demetrious Johnson has retired from MMA, the 38-year-old revealed that he would stay active by competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).
In the video above, Johnson told Mitch Chilson:
"I've fallen in love with jiu-jitsu. I absolutely love it. It's all I think about, it's all I watch, it's kinda like my new passion. "
He later continued:
So now, I'm done competing in mixed martial arts. Maybe one day, you guys will see me in here grappling, doing a grappling match. But right now, I'm a gi boy, I'm a gi boy. So, I'm just gonna pursue my passion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in a gi."