WATCH: Demetrious Johnson early fight in ONE Championship against Tatsumitsu Wada in 2019
The MMA world is still buzzing over the announcement that ONE flyweight world champion Demetrious Johnson will return to defend his title against division rival Adriano Moraes in a highly-anticipated trilogy bout on May 5.
Before looking ahead to the triolgy with Moraes, ONE Championship is taking a look back at one of Demetrious Johnson’s earliest performances inside the circle. Flashing back to 2019, ‘Mighty Mouse’ squared off with Japan’s Tatsumitsu Wada in the semi-final round of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix tournament.
“Relive thrilling action from the flyweight scrap between MMA great Demetrious Johnson and Japanese warrior Tatsumitsu Wada in 2019!”
On that night, 'DJ' earned his second career victory inside the circle, moving on to the tournament final in the process. Johnson would go on to win the tournament, defeating Danny Kingad via unanimous decision.
Not only will fans be treated to the third meeting between two of the best flyweights in the world on May 5, but it will also be ONE Championship’s first time on American soil as the promotion makes its U.S. debut. Emanating from the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado, ONE on Prime Video 10 is sure to be nothing short of spectacular as the promotion works to establish itself stateside.
Demetrious Johnson knows he’s on "the home stretch" of his storied career
Demetrious Johnson has been synonymous with excellence inside the cage for more than a decade. Dominating as a flyweight champion in North America, ‘Mighty Mouse’ now calls ONE Championship his home, where he continues to dominate as the promotion’s flyweight world champion.
Seemingly ageless when he steps inside the circle, Johnson knows that his career is beginning to wind down. Instead of fearing the day he walks away, 'DJ' is learning to embrace it. Speaking with Joe Rogan, Johnson spoke about his body not healing like it used to and recognizing it as a signal that his time is almost over:
"This is the home stretch, I’m not afraid of it. I’m smiling at it, because at some point you have to stop, you have to, you just have to as an athlete. If my body recovered like when I was 26, then yeah, I can see myself going for another 10 to 15 years. But sh*t, my shin still hurts from kicking Adriano [Moraes] in August."