Demetrious Johnson (fighter)

Demetrious Johnson
Born August 13, 1986
Madisonville, Kentucky, U.S.
Other names Mighty Mouse, DJ
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Weight 125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
Division Flyweight
Reach 64.0 in (163 cm)[1]
Style Pankration, Wrestling
Fighting out of Parkland, Washington, United States
Team AMC Pankration
Trainer Matt Hume
Years active 2007 – present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 25
Wins 22
By knockout 4
By submission 9
By decision 9
Losses 2
By decision 2
Draws 1
Other information
Website Official UFC Profile
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: October 11, 2011

Demetrious Khrisna Johnson[2] (born August 13, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist. He is the first and current UFC Flyweight Champion. As of April 29th, 2015, he is #2 in official UFC pound-for-pound rankings[3] and ranked the #1 flyweight in the world by Sherdog.[4] Johnson has also landed the most takedowns in UFC Flyweight history and holds the record for the latest finish in UFC history with a submission win at 4:59 of the fifth round.

Early years

Born in Kentucky, Johnson grew up in Parkland, Washington where he attended Washington High School and was a stand-out athlete in track, wrestling, and cross country. In wrestling, he placed 3rd and 2nd in state in his junior and senior years. Although he participated in track and cross country to improve his cardio for wrestling, he competed at the State Championships in both sports as well.[5][6]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Johnson began his career in 2007 and won his professional debut via first round KO. Johnson then appeared on multiple local shows and won his next 8 fights, including four in a row by submission. Johnson fought at the Alaska Fighting Championships in Anchorage and won via head kick KO, which earned him a deal with the WEC.[6]

World Extreme Cagefighting

He made his World Extreme Cagefighting debut against Brad Pickett on April 24, 2010 at WEC 48 in Sacramento, California.[7] Johnson showed good kickboxing throughout, but was unable to defend the many takedowns executed by Pickett. Johnson lost via unanimous decision. Joe Rogan predicted during the fight that, should the WEC implement a flyweight division (125 lbs), Johnson would be highly effective, as he was a relatively small bantamweight.

Johnson was expected to face Clint Godfrey on September 30, 2010 at WEC 51.[8] However, Godfrey was forced off the card and replaced by WEC newcomer Nick Pace.[9] Johnson defeated Pace via unanimous decision, to hand Pace his first ever MMA loss.

Johnson defeated Damacio Page via third round submission on November 11, 2010 at WEC 52.[10] After Page controlled the action in the first round, Johnson was able to dictate the action for most of the second and third rounds before submitting the visibly tired Page via guillotine choke. Johnson later said, “He was basically drowning, and I was the shark that came up and got him from underneath.”[11]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[12] Johnson faced Japanese superstar Norifumi Yamamoto on February 5, 2011 at UFC 126 in his UFC debut,[13] Johnson utilized take downs in round 1 and 2, controlling Yamamoto throughout the fight, and being rewarded with a unanimous decision victory.

Johnson was scheduled to face Renan Barão on May 28, 2011 at UFC 130.[14] However, Johnson faced Miguel Torres after Torres' opponent, Brad Pickett was forced off the card with an injury.[15] Despite breaking his fibula early in the second round from a checked leg kick, Johnson used his superior wrestling to control Torres and won a 29-28 unanimous decision victory, even though Demetrious was swept into full mount a record breaking 6 times during the fight.[16]

Johnson fought Dominick Cruz on October 1, 2011 at UFC on Versus 6 for the UFC bantamweight title, losing by unanimous decision.[17]

Johnson was briefly linked to a bout with Eddie Wineland on January 28, 2012 at UFC on Fox 2[18] However, Johnson was pulled from the bout to take part in a four-man flyweight tournament to determine the UFC's first UFC Flyweight Champion.

Johnson faced Ian McCall on March 3, 2012 in the first round of the Flyweight Tournament at UFC on FX 2.This fight was the first flyweight bout in UFC history.[19] The fight with McCall went all three rounds, was turned over to the judges' score cards and announced as a majority decision win for Johnson. Later, in the post fight press conference, Dana White announced that the athletic commission made a mistake when scoring the match and that officially the bout was an ultimately scored a majority draw (29-28 Johnson, 29-29, 28-28).[20][21]

A rematch with McCall took place on June 8, 2012 at UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall.[22] Johnson won the fight via unanimous decision to progress to the final round of the tournament.[23]

UFC Flyweight Champion (2012-Present)

Johnson faced Joseph Benavidez in the finals of the UFC Flyweight Tournament on September 22, 2012 at UFC 152. Johnson defeated Benavidez in a close and fast-paced fight via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46) to become the inaugural UFC Flyweight Champion.[24]

Johnson fought John Dodson on January 26, 2013 at UFC on FX 3.[25] Dodson managed to match Johnson's speed and also dropped him twice with left hands, but as the fight went on the champion took control and almost finished Dodson in the last seconds of the fifth round. Johnson eventually won the fight via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 48-47) in a bout that earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.[26][27]

Johnson was expected to face John Moraga on April 13, 2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale.[28] However, Johnson was forced out of the bout with an injury and Moraga was pulled from the event as well.[29]

The bout with Moraga was rescheduled and eventually took place on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8 where Johnson was looking to defend his title for a second time.[30] Johnson dominated the fight for nearly all five rounds and despite being ahead on the scorecards, he continued to work for the finish and eventually won via an armbar submission late in the fifth round. The win also earned Johnson his first Submission of the Night bonus award.[31]

A rematch with Joseph Benavidez was expected for November 30, 2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale.[32] However the bout was shifted to December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9 after that event's headliner was postponed due to injury.[33] Johnson won the rematch in emphatic fashion via knockout in the first round, being the first person to stop Benavidez due to strikes. The win also earned Johnson his first Knockout of the Night bonus award.[34]

Johnson faced Ali Bagautinov on June 14, 2014 at UFC 174.[35] He successfully defended his title for a fourth time, winning by unanimous decision.[36]

Johnson made his fifth title defense against Chris Cariaso on September 27, 2014, in the main event of UFC 178.[37] Johnson won the fight via submission due to a kimura in the second round.[38] This marked the first time that a kimura was used to end a fight in a UFC championship title fight.

Johnson faced Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC 186.[39] Johnson won the one sided fight via an armbar submission at 4:59 of the fifth round, resulting in the latest finish in UFC history.[40] This win also secured Johnson a Performance of the Night bonus award.[41]

Personal life

Johnson had a harsh childhood; having been born premature, he was raised by his deaf mother and an abusive stepfather. Johnson has never met his biological father, “I’ve never seen a picture of him, not a glimpse, nothing.” The main thing that has helped him move on from his past is his wife, Destiny Johnson. He says "she is the best thing that has ever happened to me and without her, life would be incomplete." They were wed May 11, 2012, in Hawaii, and their first child was born in July 2013. Johnson is a Christian.[42][43]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 22–2–1 Kyoji Horiguchi Submission (armbar) UFC 186 April 25, 2015 5 4:59 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Defended the UFC Flyweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 21–2–1 Chris Cariaso Submission (kimura) UFC 178 September 27, 2014 2 2:29 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Defended the UFC Flyweight Championship.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 20–2–1 Ali Bagautinov Decision (unanimous) UFC 174 June 14, 2014 5 5:00 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Defended the UFC Flyweight Championship.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 19–2–1 Joseph Benavidez KO (punch) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 December 14, 2013 1 2:08 Sacramento, California, United States Defended the UFC Flyweight Championship. Knockout of the Night
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 18–2–1 John Moraga Submission (armbar) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga July 27, 2013 5 3:43 Seattle, Washington, United States Defended the UFC Flyweight Championship. Submission of the Night
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 17–2–1 John Dodson Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Dodson January 26, 2013 5 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States Defended the UFC Flyweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 16–2–1 Joseph Benavidez Decision (split) UFC 152 September 22, 2012 5 5:00 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Won the inaugural UFC Flyweight Championship.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15–2–1 Ian McCall Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall June 8, 2012 3 5:00 Sunrise, Florida, United States UFC Flyweight Tournament Semifinal.
style="background:#c5d2ea; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-draw" |Draw 14–2–1 Ian McCall Draw (majority) UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann March 3, 2012 3 5:00 Sydney, Australia UFC Flyweight Tournament Semifinal. Fight of the Night.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 14–2 Dominick Cruz Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson October 1, 2011 5 5:00 Washington D.C., United States For the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–1 Miguel Torres Decision (unanimous) UFC 130 May 28, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–1 Norifumi Yamamoto Decision (unanimous) UFC 126 February 5, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–1 Damacio Page Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 52 November 11, 2010 3 2:27 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–1 Nick Pace Decision (unanimous) WEC 51 September 30, 2010 3 5:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 10–1 Brad Pickett Decision (unanimous) WEC 48 April 24, 2010 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–0 Jesse Brock KO (head kick) AFC 68 February 10, 2010 1 1:06 Anchorage, Alaska, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–0 Frankie Mendez Submission (rear-naked choke) King of the Cage: Thunderstruck August 15, 2009 1 4:38 Everett, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–0 Louis Contreras Submission (rear-naked choke) Genesis: Rise of Kings June 27, 2009 1 N/A Shoreline, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–0 Forrest Seabourn Submission (rear-naked choke) Genesis: Cold War December 6, 2008 1 N/A Bellevue, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 Jose Garza Submission (armbar) AX Fighting Championships 22: Last Man Standing August 16, 2008 2 1:56 Lynnwood, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 Louis Contreras Submission (americana) USA MMA: Northwest Fighting Challenge 6 March 29, 2008 1 N/A Tumwater, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Eric Alvarez Decision (unanimous) AX Fighting Championships 20: March Madness March 8, 2008 5 5:00 Lynnwood, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Jeff Bourgeois Decision (unanimous) AX Fighting Championships 18: The Art of War September 22, 2007 3 5:00 Lynnwood, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Pedro Mercado TKO (punches) KOTC: No Holds Barred July 14, 2007 1 1:25 Porterville, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Brandon Fieds KO (punch) AX Fighting Championships 16: Annihilation April 28, 2007 1 0:45 Everett, Washington, United States

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC 174 Johnson vs. Bagautinov". UFC.com. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  2. ↑ http://boxing.nv.gov/2011%20Results%20Web/05-28-11%20MMA.pdf
  3. ↑ UFC Fighter Rankings
  4. ↑ "Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings". Sherdog.com.
  5. ↑ Robert Rousseau. "Biography and Profile of Demetrious Johnson". martialarts.about.com.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Mike Renouard (April 14, 2010). "WEC Pre-fight Interview with Demetrious Johnson". nwfightscene.com.
  7. ↑ "Brad Pickett vs. newcomer Demetrious Johnson official for WEC 48 prelims". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  8. ↑ "Clint Godfrey vs. Demetrious Johnson set for WEC 51 preliminary card". mmajunkie.com. 2010-08-03.
  9. ↑ "Nick Pace replaces Clint Godfrey, faces Demetrious Johnson at WEC 51". mmajunkie.com. September 8, 2010.
  10. ↑ Staff (2010-10-26). "Demetrious Johnson vs. Damacio Page official for WEC 52, card set with 11 bouts". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  11. ↑ http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Sherdogs-Top-10-Giant-Killers-41219
  12. ↑ "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto Signs With UFC; Debuts Against Demetrious Johnson In February". mmaweekly.com. December 10, 2010.
  14. ↑ ""Mighty Mouse" vs. Barao added to UFC 130". mmajunkie.com. March 12, 2011.
  15. ↑ "UFC 130: Miguel Torres vs Demetrious Johnson booked with Brad Pickett injured". mmamania.com. April 21, 2011.
  16. ↑ Michael David Smith (2011-05-28). "UFC 130: Demetrious Johnson Beats Miguel Torres". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
  17. ↑ "Champ Dominick Cruz defends title against Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Versus 6". mmajunkie.com. July 22, 2011.
  18. ↑ Damon Martin (November 21, 2011). "Demetrious Johnson vs. Eddie Wineland In the Works for UFC on Fox 2". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  19. ↑ "UFC adds flyweights: Johnson vs. McCall, Benavidez vs. Urushitani at UFC on FX 2". mmajunkie.com. December 11, 2011.
  20. ↑ "UFC on FX 2 Main Card Results". UFC.com. March 3, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Breaking news: Demetrious Johnson vs Ian McCall result overturned, majority draw requires rematch". mmamania.com. March 3, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Johnson-McCall rematch slated for UFC on FX 3". mmajunkie.com. March 20, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  23. ↑ Dave Doyle (2012-06-08). "UFC on FX 3 Results: Demetrious Johnson Tops Ian McCall, Earns Flyweight Title Shot". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
  24. ↑ Staff (2012-09-23). "UFC 152 results: Demetrious Johnson edges Joseph Benavidez, claims flyweight title". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  25. ↑ "Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson to headline UFC on FOX 6". bloodyelbow.com. November 6, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012..
  26. ↑ Brian Knapp (2013-01-26). "Demetrious Johnson outduels John Dodson, keeps flyweight title at UFC on Fox 6". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  27. ↑ Mike Whitman (2013-01-26). "UFC on Fox 6 Bonuses: Demetrious Johnson, John Dodson, Anthony Pettis, Ryan Bader Net $50,000". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  28. ↑ "Demetrious Johnson defends UFC flyweight title vs. John Moraga at TUF 17 Finale". mmajunkie.com. February 11, 2013.
  29. ↑ Staff (2013-02-26). "Demetrious Johnson injured, title fight with John Moraga off TUF 17 Finale". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2013-02-26.
  30. ↑ "Champ Johnson vs. Moraga headlines UFC on FOX 8". mmajunkie.com. April 24, 2013.
  31. ↑ Staff (2013-07-27). "UFC on FOX 8 bonuses: Johnson, Guillard, Herman, Smith earn $50,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
  32. ↑ Staff (September 18, 2013). "Joseph Benavidez meets UFC flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson at TUF 18 Finale". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  33. ↑ Staff (November 10, 2013). "Pettis-Thomson off UFC on FOX 9, Johnson-Benavidez shifts to main event". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  34. ↑ Matt Erickson. "UFC on FOX 9 bonuses: Johnson, Faber, Barboza, Castillo win $50,000". MMAjunkie. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  35. ↑ Joe Ferraro (2014-04-09). "Johnson vs Bagautinov is UFC 174 main event". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
  36. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2015-06-15). "UFC 174 results, photos: Demetrious Johnson defends again, tops Ali Bagautinov". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  37. ↑ Staff (August 12, 2014). "Johnson vs. Cariaso new main event of UFC 178". newsroom.mgmgrand.com. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  38. ↑ Damon Martin (2014-09-28). "Demetrious Johnson dominates, submits Chris Cariaso in UFC 178 main event". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
  39. ↑ Staff (2015-02-10). "Champ Demetrious Johnson vs. Kyoji Horiguchi is UFC 186's new co-main event". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-02-10.
  40. ↑ Alex Schlinsky (2015-04-26). "UFC 186 results: Demetrious Johnson dominates, submits Kyoji Horiguchi in last second of title fight". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
  41. ↑ Matt Erickson (2015-04-26). "UFC 186 bonuses: Yeah, duh – Demetrious Johnson got $50,000 for that craziness". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
  42. ↑ Yael Grauer (2011-09-29). "No stranger to adversity". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  43. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2013-07-24). "Demetrious Johnson only lost one day of UFC on FOX 8 training with birth of son". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-07-24.
  44. ↑ http://msn.foxsports.com/ufc/story/2013-fighter-of-the-year-demetrious-johnson-123113

External links

Vacant
Title last held by
First Champion		 1st UFC Flyweight Champion
September 22, 2012 – present 		Incumbent