“I don’t wanna stay too long at the party” - Demetrious Johnson knew it was time to say goodbye to MMA
MMA legend Demetrious Johnson is at peace with his decision to retire from the multifaceted sport, knowing that there was nothing left to prove and it was time to move on.
'Mighty Mouse' called time to his illustrious MMA career in a retirement ceremony held at ONE 168 in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A., on Sept 6. In retiring, he highlighted that while he still has it in him to compete at a high level, the desire to do so was no longer like before.
Demetrious Johnson said during the post-event press conference for ONE 168:
"A little bit [relieved that I'm already retired], I kinda knew already that I was already in that form or chapter in my life. Don't get me wrong, like, I know I'm gonna miss it because I know I can still fight, but there comes a point in time where the athlete just goes, 'I'm done, I don't wanna stay too long at the party.'"
Demetrious Johnson was last in action in May 2023, also in Colorado, where he successfully defended the ONE flyweight MMA world title against Brazilian rival and former divisional king Adriano Moraes.
Following that match, the MMA legend already hinted that it was his last MMA outing, which was only formalized at ONE 168.
Demetrious Johnson says it's time for things to move on in the flyweight division
By announcing his retirement, Demetrious Johnson had to vacate the ONE flyweight MMA world title. It was something that brought relief to him as he did not want to hold things up in the division for an extended period of time.
At the post-event press conference for ONE 168: Denver, where he made his retirement announcement, 'Mighty Mouse' reiterated that it was time for things to move on in the flyweight division and for other athletes to step up.
In particular, he suggested that the scheduled showdown between Moraes and Filipino contender Danny Kingad in November should be the start.
Johnson said:
"I'm happy that now the flyweight division can move on. Chatri [Sityodtong], the matchmakers, can start putting together next, you know, a flyweight championship. Adriano and I think it's Danny Kingad are fighting next. So they can move on."
Moraes vs. Kingad II is part of ONE 169 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., on Nov. 8.