Last week it was announced that Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (30-3-1) would be returning in February for One Championship. Johnson will be challenging Adriano Moraes (18-3) for the One Championship flyweight title.
It’s worth noting that the flyweight division with One Championship fights at 135 pounds and not 125 pounds. Traditionally, flyweight is 125 as it is with the UFC and other top promotions. However, the bantamweight division here is the flyweight division with One Championship.
Mighty Mouse has fought three times with One Championship since essentially being traded by the UFC in 2018. He won all three of his fights and won the One Championship flyweight tournament. Now, he gets his chance at undisputed gold.
Yesterday, Mighty Mouse had an interview with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani. He dropped some interesting pieces of news like the fact that he will never compete at 125 pounds again. He said he just doesn’t need to cut weight anymore and it’s not healthy.
This is significant because Johnson is the greatest traditional flyweight of all time. I completely understand him not wanting to do it anymore, but the greatest ever at 125 pounds will never compete there again.
Helwani also talked to Johnson about his career with One Championship. When asked about how many fights he has left on his deal, Johnson replied saying, “I got a lot. I’m going to retire with One Championship. This will be my last stop.”
Mighty Mouse finishing with One Championship
The 34 year old former UFC champion is never going to return to a US based promotion. His career will finish with One Championship and I think that gives Johnson a very interesting opportunity.
Johnson is competing in his second major promotion and he will get the chance to retire having dominated two major promotions. If Mighty Mouse is able to capture the One Championship flyweight title and reign for years, it’ll be hard to question is GOAT status.
The biggest problem for Mighty Mouse was his domination and the questioning on the talent pool in the UFC flyweight division. Johnson displayed incredible technique but was so superior to his competition that he never got the credit he deserved.
Frankly, the competition is one of the reasons you might not be able to say Johnson is the true GOAT. However, after his career with One Championship closes, you’ll have to admit that he’s one of the greatest to ever do it. Especially if he has a long title reign.