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As one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson has faced countless challenges inside the octagon. But now, as he approaches the end of his storied career, Johnson is grappling with one of his toughest opponents yet: retirement.
After an illustrious career in the UFC that saw him reign as the flyweight champion for six years, Johnson made the bold decision to sign with ONE Championship in 2018. Since then, he's continued to showcase his incredible skills, racking up an impressive 5-1 record in the promotion.
In his most recent clash, Johnson defeated Adriano Moraes in the trilogy match that served as the main event of ONE Fight Night 10 at the 1STBANK Centre in Broomfield, Colorado, and successfully defended his flyweight championship.
When Johnson addressed the crowd whether they would like to experience him compete yet again after the match, they roared in approval. The 36-year-old stated he’d have to talk to his wife first before making a choice. Should he hang up his gloves for good after this fight, or continue with his career?
To help him make this tough call, Johnson has turned to two of his fellow UFC legends: Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Both fighters have retired in recent years, and both have been open about the challenges of leaving behind the sport they love.
“Talking to my peers, talking to Urijah Faber – I’m going to reach out to [Georges St-Pierre], I’m going to reach out to Khabib Nurmagomedov,” Johnson said at the post-fight press conference. “I’m going to talk to these guys. I’m like, ‘Why did you guys stop?’
“Those guys could have kept on fighting, and there comes a point in time – I’m 36 years old, and do I just keep on doing this and giving other athletes the opportunity to beat me and add to their legacy? There’s a lot of stuff I’ve got to muster up.”
Nurmagomedov, who hung up his gloves last year with an undefeated record of 29-0, has also been open about the challenges of walking away from the sport. In an emotional post-fight interview after his win over Justin Gaethje, Nurmagomedov cited the death of his father as a key factor in his decision to retire.
Khabib has also been seen suggesting Tony Ferguson and Conor McGregor retire at the right time before any tragic moment put a dent in their legacy. While St-Pierre, who retired for the second time in 2019, has spoken candidly about the emotional toll that retirement can take on a fighter. He retired back in 2013 when he could handle the pressure and stress of being in his peak time and being a champion.
As fans, we can only hope that whatever decision Johnson makes, he does so with the same grace and skill that has made him a legend in the sport of MMA. Whether he chooses to continue fighting or hang up his gloves, one thing is certain: Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson will always be remembered as one of the greatest fighters to ever step into the octagon.