Ex-UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson announces retirement at age 38
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Demetrious Johnson (right) from the United States in a fight with Adriano Moraes from Brazil.
PHOTO: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP
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LAS VEGAS – Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson announced on Sept 6 that he is retiring after a stellar mixed martial arts career.
The 38-year-old, who is the current One Championship flyweight champion, made the announcement at One 168 in Denver. The American’s last fight was in May 2023, when he defeated Brazilian Adriano Moraes by unanimous decision in Colorado to keep the flyweight title.
“Like I said last time, when I came to Denver, Colorado, I told you guys that was potentially my last fight, and I was not lying,” Johnson said.
“I am done competing in mixed martial arts, and I want to say thank you guys so much for giving me the opportunity. You guys have always been amazing to me as I live out my dreams and show my passion through martial arts.
“Thank you you guys, you have made me a better person, a better athlete, thank you to my wife for always encouraging me to pursue my passion, my dreams. Thank you to everybody at One Championship; the staff, the competition team, social media team, we appreciate you.”
Johnson, who debuted in 2009, retires with an MMA record of 25-4-1 and is regarded as one of the best flyweight competitors of all time. He holds the UFC flyweight records for most wins (13), longest winning streak (13) and most finishes (seven).
During the One 168 broadcast, it was also announced that he will be the first fighter inducted into the One Championship Hall of Fame.
Meanwhile in the UFC, American Sean Brady defeated Brazil’s Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision on Sept 7 in their main event welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.
Burns (22-8-0) entered the fight as the betting underdog and was overwhelmed by Brady (17-1-0), who took the cards 50-45, 50-45, 49-46.
The win was Brady’s second in a row while Burns has dropped his past three fights.
“I just stayed mentally and physically focused,” said Brady.
“I’m living my dreams, this is amazing. Gilbert, he’s tough. But I thought I did better work on the feet than on the ground. I stuck to the game plan.”
In women’s flyweight action, Jessica Andrade (26-13-0) and fellow Brazilian Natalia Silva (18-5-1) had a 15-minute stand-up slugfest.
Despite neither woman securing a finish, Silva overwhelmed Andrade with volume, forward movement and unorthodox striking to secure a 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 win by unanimous decision. REUTERS
