"The true GOAT" - Fighters and fans alike show their love as Demetrious Johnson announces his retirement at ONE 168: Denver
Flyweight MMA legend Demetrious Johnson announced his retirement from MMA at ONE 168: Denver last Friday, Sept. 6, inside the Ball Arena. ONE Championship celebrated Johnson's retirement with an Instagram graphic.
Fourth-ranked ONE flyweight MMA competitor Reece 'Lightning' McLaren gave Johnson his well-deserved flowers in the comments section:
"🙌🙌🙌 The greatest to ever do it..."
Former UFC welterweight world champion Kamaru Usman also commented:
"🔥🔥🔥"
French MMA fighter Nicolas Leblond wrote:
"One of the greatest careers in the history of the sport 🙌"
MMA fans also praised Johnson for his legendary career, with comments like:
"Honored to have lived during the mighty era of the Greatest to ever do it. The true GOAT. What a legendary run 🙏🏼"
"The greatest fighter alive to me. Have been a fan since day one and I watched you as an inspiration of true martial arts ability and spirit. Grateful I got to watch you work. Congratulations on a wonderful career."
"Truly an all-time king 👑 what a career."
Demetrious Johnson's legendary run in ONE Championship
In October 2018, Demetrious Johnson moved from the UFC to ONE Championship. He won his first three fights under the ONE banner en route to capturing the ONE Flyweight MMA World Grand Prix Championship in October 2019.
Johnson's ascent to immortality in ONE featured a highly acclaimed trilogy with then-ONE flyweight MMA world champion Adriano Moraes. Johnson dethroned 'Mikinho' with a flying knee knockout in their August 2022 rematch.
The AMC Pankration and Evolve MMA star also had a history-making mixed-rules matchup with ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in March 2022, which Johnson won via rear-naked choke.
Because of Demetrious Johnson's many achievements, including being the only fighter ever to hold gold in both ONE Championship and the UFC, ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong revealed him as the first-ever inductee into the ONE Championship Hall of Fame at ONE 168: Denver.