"Wish they could've both won" - Demetrious Johnson's mixed-rules bout against Rodtang still has fans buzzing
In March 2022, MMA legend Demetrious Johnson and current ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon made history at ONE X inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium, where they competed in the first-ever special-rules match.
The two modern-day icons agreed to fight in a four-round flyweight hybrid match that alternated the rulesets of Muay Thai and MMA every round.
Highlights of this ground-breaking bout were reposted by ONE Championship on Instagram recently:
"The historic special rules contest between Demetrious Johnson and Rodtang 🚀🤩💥 @mighty"
Johnson was happy to stand and trade with Rodtang in the opening round during the Muay Thai ruleset and avoided danger from 'The Iron Man'. Then, in the second round during the MMA ruleset, 'Mighty Mouse' finished off the match with a rear-naked choke submission that put the Thai megastar to sleep.
This highly entertaining match was lauded by fans, especially the performance of the 37-year-old American superstar, as users @upper_cumberland_k9, @chroniclesof_drey, @goldenmandingo, @nicklas__pillay, and @hecouldgo showered him with positive comments:
"I wish they both could've won. My man didn't tap out ❤️💪🏻"
"I couldn't believe my eyes when this happened... it shows that everyone truly has an Achilles heel unless yet discovered"
"This was a great show. I didn't want either of them to lose. I was scared for DJ in the first few minutes until he reminded me that he's a goat for a reason."
"Mighty Mouse truly is the one of the best to ever do it. Taking out opposition of this level, unbelievable. He's something else, and incredibly slept on."
"@mighty is the absolute GOAT 🔥"
Demetrious Johnson to compete at the 2024 IBJFF World Master in Las Vegas
Johnson, who now reigns as the ONE flyweight MMA world champion, has smoothly transitioned to becoming a top contender in various BJJ tournaments and has shifted his focus to the gentle art.
In fact, he has won multiple medals and earned the coveted black belt in the process.
Now, the AMC Pankration and Evolve MMA representative is gearing up for the 2024 IBJFF World Masters in Las Vegas from August 29 to 31, where he will be competing as a black belter for the first time.