Demetrious Johnson, the current reigning ONE flyweight MMA world champion, had an exceptionally prosperous year in 2023. He headlined the first-ever ONE Championship card on U.S. soil at ONE Fight Night 10 in May 2023 and successfully defended his world title against former world champion and rival Adriano Moraes, settling their 1-1 head-to-head score.
The historic event occurred at the 1stBank Center in Denver, Colorado, where Johnson emerged victorious by unanimous decision, retaining his 26-pound golden belt. Alongside his triumph in the ring, the ‘Mighty Mouse’ also achieved significant success on YouTube, growing his channel to over 400K subscribers.
Operating under the name Mighty Gaming, Johnson utilises his channel to discuss various combat sports topics, conduct fight previews, and breakdowns. In a recent episode, the 37-year-old American presented his personal picks for different combat sports categories and offered his perspective on the MMA landscape in 2024. Specifically, he expressed his anticipation for the return of Anatoly Malykhin, the two-division world champion, who is set to face ONE middleweight MMA world champion Reinier de Ridder.
In addition to his MMA success, Johnson achieved a significant milestone in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Just three months after his victory over Moraes, he clinched his first-ever gold medal in the 2023 World Master IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Las Vegas. Competing in the Master 2 featherweight brown belt division, this triumph earned him his second stripe on his brown belt and inched him closer to the prestigious BJJ Black Belt status.
Johnson’s impact in the martial arts landscape extends beyond his victories in the ring. His insightful views on the sport and his dedication to promoting combat sports through his YouTube channel shine a spotlight on his status as a respected figure in the industry. As he continues to make waves in the MMA world, fans eagerly await his future endeavours in and out of the octagon.