At the age of 38, former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson announced his retirement from mixed martial arts.

Johnson is regarded as the greatest flyweight in the history of mixed martial arts and one of the greatest fighters of all time.

The American, known by his nickname “Mighty Mouse,” was the first flyweight champion in UFC history. He successfully defended the title eleven times from 2012 to 2017 before relinquishing it in 2018.

He announced his decision at ONE 168 in Denver on Friday, after two years of holding the flyweight title in the ONE Championship.

“They wanted me to leave the belt in here, but I ain’t doing that,” Johnson remarked.

“I came into this sport a champ and I’m leaving as a champ too.”

With 25 victories under his belt, four

Johnson is still the owner of multiple flyweight records, including longest winning streak (13), most wins (13), and most finishes (seven). Johnson left the UFC five years ago.

During his prime, Johnson was recognised for his extraordinary quickness of thought and movement, and his creativity was appreciated in all weight divisions.

In 2018, Johnson left the UFC in an unexpected trade with ONE, while welterweight Ben Askren went the other way.

After losing to Moraes in his first attempt at the belt, Johnson emerged as the ONE flyweight champion and promptly exacted revenge with a flying knee knockout that went viral in the combat sports world.

Only two of Johnson’s fourteen UFC world title bouts were losses, against Dominick Cruz at bantamweight in 2011 and Henry

Nurmagomedov honours
Many boxers and supporters praised Johnson by sharing a goat emoji on social media, indicating that he is a strong candidate to be the greatest of all time.

Michael Bisping, a former UFC champion: “A legend! Mighty Mouse’s amazing career. “Brother, enjoy your retirement.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former UFC champion: “One of the best who ever did this.”

Belal Muhmmad, the UFC welterweight champion, said, “Congrats, Mighty Mouse.”

Alan Jouban, a former UFC fighter, said, “Mighty Mouse, congratulations on an amazing career. Not only is he one of the greatest mixed martial artists ever, but he also has one of the highest combat IQs we’ve ever seen. Appreciate this fresh phase.”

Derek Brunson, a PFL fighter: “Johnson has given up mixed martial arts. Will there ever be a dominant flyweight again?”

Stephen Thompson, welterweight in the UFC: “Among the best to ever do it!