New UFC Hall of Fame Inductee Weighs In on Middleweight’s Plans to Continue

Demetrious Johnson was announced as the newest member of the UFC Hall of Fame this past weekend during UFC Seattle inside Climate Pledge Arena in the Pacific Northwest. During the main event last Saturday night, Israel Adesanya (24-6 MMA, 13-6 UFC) sustained his fourth consecutive defeat at the hands of Joe Pyfer (16-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC.)

In the wake of Adesanya’s loss last weekend, a number of fans and commentators have called for “The Last Stylebender” to hang up his gloves permanently. Now, you can add another name to that list.

On Tuesday’s edition of The Ariel Helwani Show, Demetrious Johnson, who secured championships in both the UFC and ONE Championship, was Helwani’s first guest of the day. True to form for a champion, the one nicknamed “Mighty Mouse” pulled no punches on the issue.

Demetrious Johnson on Israel Adesanya’s Defeat to Joe Pyfer

Although Israel Adesanya has been steadfast on the issue of his MMA future after last weekend’s card, “Mighty Mouse” is among those of the belief that Adesanya should seriously reconsider.

He discussed what was going through his mind as the contest progressed.

“For me to watch him fight, it was great,” Demetrious Johnson began. “He was looking good. He looked a little hesitant to just let it go. He did a great job with takedown defense, and then, the second round, they started exchanging, his nose got and I was gutted. I’m not going to lie.”

“Mighty Mouse” Gives Praise to Adesanya

Prior to his current four-fight losing streak in the UFC, Israel Adesanya secured and defended the promotion’s middleweight championship six times between 2019 and 2023. During that run, his bid to become UFC Light Heavyweight Champion was foiled by Jan Blachowicz.

Demetrious Johnson delivered plaudit to Israel Adesanya during the Tuesday interview.

“He has plenty of money,” Johnson said. “He’s so talented. He can dance, he’s a DJ. Anything he does, he’s going to be successful. For me, I feel like what made me so good in fighting was one, I viewed it as a job. Two, I needed money, right? When you’re poor and you’re broke, you have a different mindset. There’s a different mindset that goes on when you money.”

“I’m not saying that now he has money, the mindset’s changed,” he continued. “He’s fighting somebody else who’s trying to his level.”

Demetrious Johnson Pleads to Israel Adesanya with Hard Truth

Israel Adesanya is currently 36 years of age and will not turn 37 until July 22. When Demetrious Johnson retired from MMA as a competitor, he was 38 years old.

Father Time is always an undefeated fighter, however and nothing in life is permanent. Demetrious Johnson used some of his interview time with Ariel Helwani to offer up some valuable advice to Israel Adesanya.

“You’ve done everything,” he said. “Just walk away from the sport, but I think that’s so hard for any professional athlete, and I think for me, when I see him fight, I’m like ‘Dog, you don’t need to fight,’ and he’s still young, he’s only 36, but I was gutted.”

“Mighty Mouse” answered Ariel Helwani’s question of whether Israel Adesanya should end his career point-blank.

“I would, if I was him,” he replied.

Final Thoughts: Demetrious Johnson Speaks From Experience

Demetrious Johnson is a man not unlike Israel Adesanya. He, too, has experienced the highest of highs as a fighter. Johnson knew when he had enough of the fight game and retired at the top of the mountain.

Now as Israel Adesanya is in the midst of a losing streak in the twilight of his career as a fighter, he’s grappling with one of the toughest decisions he’ll ever have to make. Although the final choice of whether to retire rests only with Adesanya himself, could what Demetrious Johnson said on The Ariel Helwani Show have an effect on his future plans?

Only time will tell.