Is Demetrious Johnson able to make a definitive resolution about the way forward for his preventing profession?
Over the previous 16 months, the reigning ONE Championship flyweight champion has been mulling retirement or presumably coming again for another struggle however he hasn’t mentioned for sure which is able to occur. Johnson’s most important focus these days has been competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments, constructing his YouTube channel and persevering with to broaden his companies outdoors the game.
He mentioned only recently that he wasn’t “formally retired” however admitted that MMA “isn’t on my thoughts proper now.”
ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong can’t say with any certainty what Johnson is planning however he helps no matter resolution the 38-year-old veteran makes.
“I talked to DJ 9 months in the past, six months in the past and a month in the past and I mentioned hey, the ball’s in your courtroom,” Sityodtong informed MMA Preventing. “No matter you wish to do, we’ll assist it. 9 months in the past, he known as me ‘hey Chatri, I wish to make a run at gi jiu-jitsu, I wish to try to compete in brown belt Worlds Masters.’ He clearly received that world championship. He simply competed within the black belt Masters final weekend and obtained to the quarterfinals, which is unbelievable.
“I imply take into consideration his resume as a martial artist. He’s an elite striker, an elite wrestler, an elite jiu-jitsu competitor and clearly the GOAT of blended martial arts. However he’s 38 and he’s actually not sparred in 18 months. I’m not pushing him or something however the ball’s in his courtroom. DJ’s in Denver. So let’s see what he says.”
On Friday, ONE Championship lands in Denver for ONE 168, which is the Singapore based mostly promotion’s third card in the US with a fourth deliberate in Atlanta in November.
Johnson is anticipated to attend the occasion as a particular visitor and Sityodtong teased that maybe the previous UFC champion will tackle his future through the present.
“I feel DJ’s in Denver for a motive,” Sityodtong mentioned. “I feel folks have gotten to ask him why he’s in Denver. Perhaps DJ’s going to announce the most important struggle ever or perhaps he’s going to retire. I don’t know however let’s see.”
Johnson has acknowledged that for him to return to preventing, he must be enticed by the best alternative.
Contemplating the lengthy listing of accomplishments that Johnson already has on his resume, Sityodtong understands why “Mighty Mouse” isn’t actually concerned about simply dealing with the subsequent individual in line for his flyweight title.
That’s why Sityodtong believes it actually comes all the way down to discovering a selected opponent that might draw Johnson’s curiosity sufficient for him to struggle once more.
“It needs to be a really massive, massive struggle that might transfer the needle,” Sityodtong mentioned. “I don’t suppose he might simply take a daily struggle, a daily title protection. It must be one thing very particular. One thing distinctive.
“One thing just like the particular guidelines struggle he did with Rodtang [Jitmuangno], one thing loopy like that, that might get him adrenaline and goosebumps and able to go.”
On the flipside, Sityodtong can’t argue with Johnson if he in the end decides to name it a profession and retire with the document setting resume he’s already constructed since first debuting again in 2006.
Johnson stays the longest reigning champion throughout any division within the UFC with 11 consecutive title defenses and that’s simply the tip of the iceberg in the case of his accomplishments.
He’s additionally claimed the ONE Flyweight Grand Prix title after which turned ONE flyweight champion with a surprising knockout over Adriano Moraes to avenge his personal loss to the Brazilian from the earlier 12 months. Johnson has carried out nearly all the things he’s ever wished so Sityodtong understands if he simply desires to hold up his gloves for good.
“The factor is he’s been there, carried out that,” Sityodtong mentioned. “Within the two largest organizations on the planet, he’s been there, carried out that. He’s conquered the mountain of UFC and he’s conquered the mountain of ONE. The one individual to take action, which is simply unbelievable.
“He’s virtually like these previous Ronin warriors that might journey the world preventing anyone to show that they’re the perfect. He’s very particular. Everyone knows DJ could be very particular.”
