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Demetrious Johnson, one of MMA's most legendary figures, has not officially retired but is not currently focused on returning to the sport. Known for his incredible run as UFC flyweight champion, where he set the record for the most consecutive title defenses with 11, Johnson has been a dominant force in mixed martial arts.
After losing his title to Henry Cejudo at UFC 227, he transitioned to ONE Championship, where he has continued his success and currently holds the flyweight title. Despite his achievements, Johnson hasn’t competed since his victory over Adriano Moraes in their trilogy bout in May 2023, and it seems that a return to the cage isn't in his immediate plans.
In a recent appearance on the JAXXON podcast, Johnson shared his current mindset.
“I always like to leave that door open,” Johnson said. “I’m not officially retired. I’m just saying mixed martial arts is not on my mind right now.”
This statement reflects his openness to future opportunities while acknowledging that MMA isn't his main focus at the moment.
Over the past few years, Johnson has expressed interest in exploring other avenues outside of MMA, including different combat sports and unique challenges. However, this doesn’t mean he has closed the door on his MMA career entirely. Johnson remains active in training and maintains his fitness, though he admits his focus has shifted away from traditional MMA training.
“I don’t train MMA. I train martial arts. It’s jiu-jitsu. I haven’t hit pads in, what - (yesterday) was the second time I hit pads in a year and a half. I can still move. I still have it,” he noted, emphasizing that while he might not be training at the highest level of MMA, he could quickly get back into top form if the right fight came along.
Johnson's future in MMA remains uncertain, but his legacy is already well-established. For now, fans will have to wait and see if and when "Mighty Mouse" decides to step back into the cage, but one thing is clear: he's not done just yet.
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