Demetrious Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Demetrious Johnson |
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Johnson in 2024
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| Born | Demetrious Khrisna Johnson August 13, 1986 Madisonville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Nickname(s) | Mighty Mouse |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb) |
| Division | Flyweight (2012–2018) Bantamweight (2007–2011, 2019–2024) Featherweight (grappling, 2023-present) |
| Reach | 66 in (168 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Parkland, Washington, U.S. |
| Team | AMC Pankration Evolve MMA |
| Trainer | Matt Hume Brad Kertson |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Bibiano Fernandes and Yan McCane |
| Years active | 2006–2024 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 30 |
| Wins | 25 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 12 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 9 |
| Wins | 9 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 5 |
| Other information | |
| University | Pierce College |
| Notable school(s) | Washington High School |
| Esports career | |
| Current team | |
| Team | Method Gaming |
| Game | World of Warcraft |
| Role | Damage dealer |
| Career information | |
| Playing career | 2017–2024 |
| Handle | Mighty Mouse |
| Team history | |
| 2017 | Method Gaming |
Demetrious Khrisna Johnson (born August 13, 1986), also known as "Mighty Mouse," is a retired American professional mixed martial artist (MMA). Many people consider him one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.
He was the first-ever UFC Flyweight Champion and defended his title a record 11 times in a row. He also became the ONE Flyweight Champion. Johnson is famous for his incredible speed, skill, and long winning streaks.
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Early Life and Sports
Johnson was born in Kentucky but grew up in Parkland, Washington. He went to Washington High School, where he was a star athlete. He was excellent at wrestling, track, and cross country.
In wrestling, he placed 3rd and 2nd in the state championships. He used track and cross country to get in better shape for wrestling. Even though he got scholarship offers for wrestling, he decided to stay close to his family. He went to Pierce College for two years and worked at the same time.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Starting in MMA
Johnson started training in mixed martial arts as a hobby. After two years, he was invited to a gym called AMC Pankration. There, he met a famous MMA coach named Matt Hume.
He started as an amateur fighter in 2006 and won his first fight by knockout. He won all nine of his amateur fights. After turning professional, he won a fight in Alaska with a head kick knockout. This victory earned him a contract with World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).
World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC)
Johnson made his WEC debut in 2010 in the bantamweight division. He lost his first fight to Brad Pickett. Even during the fight, people noticed he was small for his weight class. They thought he would be amazing if a lighter flyweight division was created.
He went on to win his next two fights in the WEC. One win was by a submission hold called a guillotine choke.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
In 2010, the WEC merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). All WEC fighters, including Johnson, moved to the UFC.
Fighting at Bantamweight
Johnson won his first two UFC fights. His second win was against Miguel Torres, even though Johnson broke a bone in his leg during the fight. He then fought Dominick Cruz for the bantamweight title but lost the match.
After this, the UFC created a new flyweight division for smaller fighters. Johnson was chosen to be in a four-man tournament to decide the first-ever UFC Flyweight Champion.
Becoming the Flyweight Champion
In the first round of the tournament, Johnson fought Ian McCall. The fight was very close and was first announced as a win for Johnson. Later, it was corrected to a draw. They had a rematch, and Johnson won clearly.
This win sent him to the finals against Joseph Benavidez. On September 22, 2012, Johnson defeated Benavidez to become the first-ever UFC Flyweight Champion.
A Record-Breaking Reign
For the next six years, Johnson was an unstoppable champion. He defended his title a record 11 times in a row.
- He defeated John Dodson in a thrilling match that won Fight of the Night.
- He submitted John Moraga with an armbar in the final seconds of the fifth round.
- He knocked out Joseph Benavidez in their rematch, earning Knockout of the Night.
- He defeated Kyoji Horiguchi with an armbar at 4:59 of the fifth round. This is the latest finish in UFC history.
- He beat Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo with a first-round TKO.
- He tied the record for most title defenses (10) by submitting Wilson Reis.
- He broke the record with his 11th defense against Ray Borg. He won with an amazing suplex-to-armbar move that was called the "Submission of the Year."
His long reign as champion ended on August 4, 2018. He lost a very close split decision to Henry Cejudo in their rematch.
ONE Championship
In October 2018, Johnson joined a new organization called ONE Championship.
Winning the Grand Prix
Johnson entered the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix, a tournament with eight of the best fighters. He won his first fight by submission. He then won his semi-final match to advance to the finals.
In the finals, he faced Danny Kingad and won a dominant victory. This made him the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion.
Fighting for the Title
After winning the tournament, Johnson challenged Adriano Moraes for the ONE Flyweight Championship. In their first fight in April 2021, Johnson lost by knockout.
However, they had a rematch in August 2022. Johnson won by knocking out Moraes with a flying knee. He became the new ONE Flyweight Champion. They fought a third time in May 2023, and Johnson won again to defend his title.
On September 6, 2024, Johnson announced his retirement from MMA. He was named the first person to be inducted into the ONE Hall of Fame.
Grappling Career
Even after his MMA career, Johnson continued to compete. He entered the IBJJF Master World Championship in 2023. He competed as a brown belt and won a gold medal.
In 2024, he won another gold medal at the IBJJF Pan Championship. He later earned his black belt and competed at the Master World Championship again.
Fighting Style
Johnson is known for being one of the fastest fighters in MMA history. His main skill is wrestling, which he uses to control his opponents. He is also a very quick and tricky striker.
He can land fast punches and kicks and then move out of the way before his opponent can hit back. He is also skilled in Muay Thai and catch wrestling. His famous submission against Ray Borg showed his creative and high-level skills.
Personal Life
Johnson had a difficult childhood. He was raised by his mother, who is deaf, and a stepfather. He has said that his wife, Destiny, is the best thing that has ever happened to him. They have two sons and a daughter.
Johnson is also a big fan of video games. He streams on YouTube under the name Mighty.
Championships and Awards
Johnson has won many championships and awards during his career.
- ONE Championship
- ONE Hall of Fame
ONE Flyweight Champion- 2019 ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC Flyweight Champion (First ever)
- Most consecutive title defenses in UFC history (11)
- Most wins in UFC flyweight title fights (12)
- Most consecutive wins in UFC Flyweight history (13)
- Latest submission in UFC history (4:59 of Round 5)
- Nine post-fight bonus awards (for Fight, Knockout, Submission, and Performance of the Night)
- Other Awards
- 2017 ESPY Award for Fighter of The Year
- Multiple "Submission of the Year" and "Fighter of the Year" awards from different sports media outlets.
See also
In Spanish: Demetrious Johnson para niños
- List of current ONE fighters
- List of male mixed martial artists
- List of UFC champions
