“So in hindsight, if I were to be under the UFC roster, I would probably be getting a rematch with Henry Cejudo,” Demetrious Johnson told MMA Fighting. “And if I was to beat Henry Cejudo then who knows what would have been next. If I would have lost to Henry Cejudo then I would be right where I was.
“So why not take the opportunity to get out of my contract? Go travel the world and compete somewhere else, right? I mean, I’ve done everything that… Close to everything that you possibly can in North America besides sell 2.5 million pay-per-views and do the double champ champ, or whatever it is. So for me, I think coming over here to Asia to fight in front of an audience that respects smaller weight classes… I wasn’t gonna pass it up.”
The first ever UFC flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson is back on Sunday, March 31. He’ll be making his ONE Championship debut in Tokyo, Japan against Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE: A New Era as the third fight on the seven-fight main card.
For Johnson, his historic UFC title reign spanned across six years and saw him defend his crown a record-setting 11 times.
Johnson’s last time out came at UFC 227 in August 2018 when he was dethroned by Henry Cejudo in their rematch. Since then, the former flyweight king has been recovering from some injuries while preparing for the ONE flyweight Grand Prix that he’s about to kick off.
It was no secret that during Johnson’s time as a UFC champion, he didn’t get the respect from the fans or his promotion that he perhaps rightfully deserved. He has already been vocal about feeling the difference in that regard with his new fighting home.
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/29/2019
ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II has added another blockbuster bout to its lineup as former ONE Welterweight MMA World Champion Zebaztian Kadestam now faces surging star Isi Fitikefu.
On Friday, May 2, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, two of welterweight MMA’s heaviest hitters go head to head. Both warriors look to take a huge leap toward a World Title opportunity.
The card for ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O continues to flourish, and another high-stakes matchup has been added to billing.
On Friday, May 2, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, striking stalwart Saemapetch Fairtex takes on main roster newcomer Abdulla Dayakaev in a bantamweight Muay Thai banger that’s certain not to go the distance.
Reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 has broken his silence on his defeat to interim bantamweight Muay Thai titleholder Nabil Anane at ONE 172, revealing the reasons that led to his loss.
“The Kicking Machine” lost a unanimous decision to his Thai-Algerian foe in their rematch on Sunday, March 23, inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
UFC legend Demetrious Johnson is of the belief that Paddy Pimblett could one day become UFC lightweight champion.
Nobody can deny the popularity of Paddy Pimblett. While he isn’t exactly close to the levels of Conor McGregor, he’s certainly becoming a household name. Even if you aren’t a massive mixed martial arts fan (a casual, for example), you probably know who Paddy is. This Saturday, he’ll try and pick up the biggest win of his career to date when he collides with Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314.
Scottish striking star Nico Carrillo felt a weight lifted off his shoulders this past weekend as he made a ceremonious return to action at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles.
The #3-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender made his featherweight Muay Thai debut on Friday, April 4, taking out #5-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong in the second round at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Hot off a first-round domination this past weekend at ONE Fight Night 30, two-sport ONE World Champion Roman Kryklia is eager to strike while the iron is hot.
The stoic Ukrainian defended his ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title against former WBC Muay Thai Heavyweight World Champion Lyndon Knowles this past Friday, April 4, knocking out the Englishman at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Regian Eersel may still be the reigning lightweight Muay Thai king, but he wants his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title back.
“The Immortal” dispatched former lightweight kickboxing World Champion Alexis Nicolas this past Friday, April 4, at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles. He outstruck the Frenchman across five rounds to win by unanimous decision in their trilogy bout, settling the score at 2-1.
British Muay Thai star George Jarvis has bad intentions when he makes his main roster debut at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles.
“G-Unit” meets Spanish-Moroccan striker Mouhcine Chafi in a lightweight Muay Thai contest this Friday, April 4, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
