MMA legend Demetrious Johnson officially retires, becomes first inductee to ONE Championship Hall of Fame
The recently concluded ONE 168: Denver card marked the return of the world's largest martial arts organization to American soil. It also witnessed the historic enshrinement of the first ONE Championship Hall of Fame inductee.
ONE flyweight MMA world champion Demetrious Johnson made a special appearance and announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. Simultaneously, ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong immortalized him by making him the first athlete in the promotion to be inducted into the promotion’s Hall of Fame.
ONE Championship recently posted a video tribute for him on YouTube and captioned it:
"Congratulations to former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson on a legendary career and being the first inductee to the ONE Championship Hall of Fame!"
The video looked back at ‘Mighty Mouse’s’ life journey and how he made his mark in combat sports by becoming one of its best fighters. Before he made his move to ONE Championship in 2018, Johnson became the most dominant UFC flyweight world champion with 11 straight world title defenses.
Then, the AMC Pankration and Evolve MMA representative carried his dominance to the other side of the world by winning the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix in 2019 and capturing the ONE flyweight MMA world title in August 2022 at ONE on Prime Video 1, with a revenge knockout victory over long-time champion Adriano Moraes.
Furthermore, he participated in the first-ever special rules super-fight in the promotion when he fought ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in March 2022 at ONE X and won by submission in the second round.
Demetrious Johnson says he is open to competing in a submission grappling match in ONE Championship after MMA retirement
During the Hall of Fame trophy presentation, Johnson said he would focus on competing in jiu-jitu. The 38-year-old has also opened himself in a possible submission grappling in ONE Championship, saying:
"Maybe one day you could see me here and odo a grappling match."
North American viewers with Prime Video subscriptions can rewatch the action from the ONE 168: Denver card through the free event replay.