Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Steps Away from Potential Comeback in MMA Arena
Former UFC men's flyweight title holder Demetrious Johnson has hung up his gloves and has no intentions of returning. Following a convincing victory over Kai Asakura in the main event of UFC 310, reigning flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja issued a challenge to Johnson.
Pantoja achieved a submission victory over Asakura in the second round, securing the win and a Performance Bonus. In his post-fight interview, Pantoja expressed his desire to face Johnson, proclaiming himself as the greatest flyweight fighter in the world.
UFC President Dana White commented on the potential matchup during the post-fight press conference, describing it as "interesting." However, Johnson, now retired and content with his life, has no interest in returning to the octagon for a superfight against Pantoja.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Johnson explained, "He's the greatest flyweight in the world right now. I think the greatest flyweights in the world right now are all at American Top Team. You have Alex Pantoja, Adriano Moraes, and then you also have Kyoji Horiguchi. Those three guys are probably the best athletes in the world. I am not the best flyweight in the world anymore. My black ass is retired, and I'm happily retired. I ain't gonna be no Jose Aldo or Donald Cerrone coming back to fight. There ain't no point in coming back to fight. What am I gonna prove when I come back to ####ing fight?"
Johnson appears satisfied with his life and finances, as he profited from his time with ONE Championship and YouTube revenue. Meanwhile, Pantoja seemed to misinterpret Johnson's decision, believing he was seeking more financial incentives.
Regrettably, this matchup appears unlikely to happen.
Johnson's decision to retire is commendable, as he was an all-time great who endured years of underappreciation during his UFC reign. At 38 years old, Johnson discovered athletic fulfillment while practicing competitive jiu-jitsu and financial stability through his dealings with ONE Championship and YouTube.
Upcoming Event: UFC Tampa
The final UFC card of the year takes place on December 14, in Tampa, Florida. The event will be headlined by a welterweight bout between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley.
Here is the full card:
- Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley (Welterweight)
- Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo (Featherweight)
- Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva (Flyweight)
- Dustin Jacoby vs. Vitor Petrino (Light Heavyweight)
- Daniel Marcos vs. Adrian Yanez (Bantamweight)
- Navajo Stirling vs. Tuco Tokkos (Light Heavyweight)
- Michael Johnson vs. Ottman Azaitar (Lightweight)
- Drakkar Klose vs. Joel Alvarez (Lightweight)
- Sean Woodson vs. Fernando Padilla (Featherweight)
- Miles Johns vs. Felipe Lima (Featherweight)
- Miranda Maverick vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth (Flyweight)
- Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras (Bantamweight)
- Piera Rodriguez vs. Joseline Knutsson (Strawweight)
UFC 310 saw Alexandre Pantoja secure a submission victory over Kai Asakura to retain his flyweight title, expressing his desire to face Demetrious Johnson. Despite Johnson's retirement, UFC President Dana White finds the potential matchup interesting. However, Johnson has no intention of returning to the octagon, content with his life and finances.
The upcoming UFC event is UFC Tampa on December 14, headlined by a welterweight bout between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley. The card also features a flyweight match between Manel Kape and Bruno Silva.
Pantoja's challenge to Johnson has stirred up UFC news, with fans and analysts speculating about who would emerge victorious between Pantoja and Johnson's rival, Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson, or Alexandre Pantoja's opponent in the last fight, DJ or Pantoja.
Johnson's comeback in UFC seems unlikely, as he has found athletic fulfillment in competitive jiu-jitsu and financial stability through his dealings with ONE Championship and YouTube. Meanwhile, Pantoja may have misinterpreted Johnson's decision, thinking it was driven by financial motivations.
