Former UFC men’s flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson is retired, and he plans to keep it that way. Reigning flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja called Johnson out after a dominant win over Kai Asakura in the main event of UFC 310.
Pantoja secured a submission victory over the Japanese newcomer in the second round to lock up the win and a performance bonus for his efforts. In his post-fight interview, he made it clear he’d love to fight Johnson to prove that he’s the greatest flyweight in the world.
UFC President Dana White was asked about Pantoja’s callout during the post-fight presser, and he said the prospects of the two 125-pound greats fighting was “interesting.”
Apparently, it’s not interesting enough for Johnson to consider coming out of retirement to entertain a likely lucrative super fight with Pantoja.
“He’s the greatest flyweight in the world right now,” Johnson said in a video on his YouTube channel. “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 mother#######’ José Aldo. I ain’t gonna be no mother#######’ 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 ####in’ fight?”
Johnson is seemingly fulfilled at this point in his life, and he added a bit to ensure everyone that he’s also financially secure.
“But now, you know, your boy’s staying good, and the YouTube money’s real good, boys,” Johnson concluded. Here is a look at the entire video.
Pantoja was told Johnson quickly shut down his challenge. The Brazilian seemed to misunderstand Johnson’s position. Based on Pantoja’s response to the reporter’s question in the clip below, it sounded as if he believed Johnson was looking for more money.
In any case, this fight is almost certainly not happening.
I applaud Johnson for knowing when to walk away from the sport. At 38 years old, he has found athletic fulfillment practicing competitive jiu-jitsu and financial stability from his time with ONE Championship and YouTube revenue.
That concept should be satisfying for a legit all-time great who spent most of his time in the UFC as the most underappreciated champion in history.
What’s Next? UFC Tampa
The final UFC card of the year happens on Saturday, December 14, in Tampa, Florida. The card will be headlined by a welterweight scrap between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley.
Here is a look at the entire 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)