ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong doesn’t mince words when it comes to ‘Mighty Mouse’.
Demetrious Johnson, the longtime UFC Flyweight Champion and current ONE Flyweight Champion, has shown it all, done it all in his MMA career. Johnson has performed at the highest level in the most technical weight class for more than a decade, setting the record for most consecutive title defenses in UFC history (11) in 2017.
Of course, Johnson’s legacy goes beyond his UFC title reign. The 37 year-old holds ONE flyweight gold and has defeated the likes of striking superstar Rodtang Jitmuangnon and former champ Adriano Moraes, twice. ONE Championship’s Sityodtong is completely sold on Johnson as a martial artist.
“He’s the only person in the history of martial arts to win belts in the two biggest and most prestigious organizations, UFC and ONE, and do so in such a legendary way,” Sityodtong told BJPenn.com in a recent interview. “If you look at his skillset, forget about titles, if you just look at his skillset, he has by far the most complete skillset of any martial artist in the history of mankind.
“You look at his striking, clinch game, his wrestling, his transitions, his submission grappling game, he is completely well-rounded without any holds, and then you add in his cardio, for me, he’s the GOAT.”
Johnson, while still in the win column and in terrific shape, is at the tail end of his career. The champion has spoke of retirement before, but it looks like he’s keeping the gloves on to fight another day.
Chatri Sityodtong reveals what they’re working on for what could be Demetrious Johnson’s last dance. Though, the ONE CEO believes ‘Mighty Mouse’ sticks around for a few more fights.
“We have been trying to get DJ a mixed-rules fight between DJ and Mikey Musumeci the flyweight grappling world champion,” Sityodtong said of Johnson’s fighting future. “I think that would be a spectacular fight, as well.
“I think DJ is kind of more in cruise control after having won his last title fight and when he is ready he will let us know when he wants to fight. He says he doesn’t have the burning desire, but he hasn’t retired yet, so I think DJ has a few more fights left in him to further cement his legendary GOAT status.But, he needs some big challenges, maybe some crazy mixed-rules fight.”
