Demetrious Johnson has not yet officially retired from his MMA career, but there are indications that he might be moving in that direction. Johnson is a highly successful MMA fighter, holding several UFC records, including the most consecutive title defenses in the flyweight division between 2012 and 2018. Following his loss of the title to Henry Cejudo at UFC 227, Johnson was traded to ONE Championship, where he has reigned as the flyweight champion for the past six years. However, Johnson has not been active in competition since his trilogy fight victory in May 2023 and does not appear to be focusing on a return in the near future.
In a recent interview on the JAXXON podcast, Johnson stated that although he has not formally retired, MMA is not a top priority for him at the moment. He has shown interest in exploring other opportunities beyond MMA, such as other combat sports and unique one-off fights. Johnson continues to stay in shape by training daily, emphasizing his dedication to martial arts, especially jiu-jitsu.
Although Johnson has not been specifically preparing for MMA bouts, he believes he could still perform at a high level if the right chance arises. He intends to make a clearer statement about his retirement plans when the time is right, reflecting on his personal objectives and aspirations.
