Demetrious Johnson’s career will end with ONE Championship.
Since being traded for Ben Askren to the promotion back in late 2018, Johnson has continued his dominant ways within the flyweight division by winning all three of fights thus far. Of course, the longest-reigning UFC Flyweight Champion is looking to get back on top of ONE’s division; however, when will Johnson decide to hang up the gloves for good?
Speaking to
MMA Junkie, the 32-year-old revealed that ONE Championship will be his final promotion as he has nothing left to prove in North America:
“I will retire at ONE Championship. This is my last organization,” Johnson told MMA Junkie
. “I love this organization. I love everything they stand for, I love how they take care of the athletes, so this is my last (organization). This is it. Once I’m done, I’m retired. I’m like, ‘I’m done, peace,’ because there’s nothing else for me to prove for North America. There truly isn’t. …"
“I’m trying to make something of myself over here in Asia. And if I’m able to get another piece of gold, fantastic. If not, I look to put on some great spectacular performances. Fighting in North America for pretty much the majority of my career and each time I traveled to Asia, they’re like, ‘Can you please come over here and fight for us?’ We want to see you fight live, we want to see you fight live.’ I’m like, ‘OK, maybe one day I will.’ Now I’m over here fighting live for them. So I’m giving them what they wanted.”n the world.
Johnson further elaborates on when he could end up retiring from the octagon as the ONE Championship fighter appears to have four or five years left unless his body tells him otherwise:
“I give myself five more years,” Johnson said.
“It all depends on the body, right? Like, I’m 32 years old (last year). I fought three times last year. I think I’ll probably fight twice this year. So as long as my body (is healthy), I’m having a fun with it, and I’m enjoying it, I’m just going to keep on going. But if I start, you know, getting knocked out, getting CTE and concussions and broken bones, I’m like, this isn’t worth it. I’ll focus on myself.
“I’m just being a realist. You know what I mean? I’m 33 years old. If I put five years at ONE, that’s what, I’m going to be 38 years old if my math is correct. Right, right, 38, 39. Then I’d be like, ‘Yeah, I’m done. I think I’m done.”
Check out the full interview where Johnson talks about his upcoming championship fight against Adriano Moraes, what he will do once he retires, and so much more regarding his MMA career.