Demetrious Johnson is one of those names that always come up when the topic of mixed martial arts‘ greatest of all time is mentioned. Other names you might hear during such conversations include Anderson Silva, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jon Jones, and Fedor Emelianenko.
However, no one has dominated their respective divisions to the extent DJ has ever since he traded his construction gloves for a pair of MMA gloves.
Demetrious Johnson is the most well-rounded fighter whose name is often mentioned during conversations about who the GOAT is. Anderson Silva is mainly known for his striking prowess, Jones and Khabib are known for their high-level wrestling skills, while Fedor is known for his knockout power.
Demetrious Johnson, on the other hand, is known for being elite in all aspects of fighting. His striking, wrestling, and submission skills are as good as anyone else who has ever stepped inside the cage. That’s what makes the ‘Mighty Mouse’ so unique.
Five Fights That Prove Demetrious Johnson Is The Greatest MMA Fighter Of All Time
Ready to find out why so many people say DJ is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the history of mixed martial arts? Let’s take a stroll down memory lane:
1) Demetrious Johnson Vs. Joseph Benavidez II
The first fight between these two was a technical affair that ended with Johnson emerging victorious. Benevidez was the man many fans believed would be the champion if DJ wasn’t on the Ultimate Fighting Championships roster, and many expected their second fight to be closely contested.
However, Johnson had different plans and showcased his insane punching power by knocking Benavidez out cold with a perfectly timed right hand early in the contest. The knockout couldn’t have come at a better time since some of DJ’s critics often accused him of being a point fighter who couldn’t put anyone away. Even Benevidez didn’t seem overly concerned about Johnson’s power heading into the fight, but he learned the hard way.
That win was one of the most significant statements Johnson has made in his career, given how good Benavidez is.
2) Demetrious Johnson vs. Adriano Moraes II
Some people questioned how good DJ was when he got knocked out by a knee to the head during his first fight against Moraes. DJ had dominated the UFC’s flyweight division for years before getting traded to ONE Championship, and many fans were expecting more of the same in his new home.
The loss to Moraes made some critics question whether DJ was past his best years, but all voices were silenced during the rematch.
The Mighty Mouse was on a mission when he squared off against Moraes for a second time, and he picked him apart from range before bringing the contest to an end with a beautiful flying knee.
It was déjà vu, but DJ wasn’t the recipient of the knee this time around.
3) Demetrious Johnson vs. Ray Borg
It might take decades before the mixed martial arts world sees another submission as impressive as DJ’s suplex to armbar finish of Ray Borg.
Johnson had dominated all challengers for his UFC flyweight title then, and the fight played out how many fans expected it to go with DJ. No one could have predicted the spectacular submission during the fifth round’s final minutes.
DJ secured back control after an exchange as it appeared he was on his way to another decision victory, then he went for a suplex and somehow secured an armbar before both men hit the canvas. It remains the most impressive submission ever pulled off during a mixed martial arts fight. Even BJJ aces like Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Damian Maia never pulled off any submissions that came even close. It was the type of move you expect to see in a Bruce Lee movie, not an MMA fight.
The win highlights how good DJ’s submission game is and how creative he can be inside the cage.
4) Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo I
Henry Cejudo had a lot of hype behind him when he challenged Johnson for the flyweight title. An Olympic gold medalist, Cejudo dedicated himself to boxing when he returned from the Olympics, and he picked it up pretty quickly.
Many expected him to be Johnson’s toughest test, given the vast disparity in their wrestling pedigree. However, that’s not what happened when the two squared off.
DJ turned out to be a lot tougher to take down and keep down than many fans thought, and Cejudo only scored one takedown before getting knocked out with knees.
It took Johnson a little more than two minutes to bring the Henry Cejudo hype train to an end, sending the latter to the back of the line of challengers. Cejudo eventually got some payback when the two fought for the second time at UFC 227, winning a controversial split decision that ended up being DJ’s last fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The knockout wasn’t the most impressive part of DJ’s performance during his first fight against Cejudo; it was how effectively he neutralized Henry’s wrestling.
5) Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson II
Dodson is one of the most explosive athletes to ever compete in the flyweight division, and he carried himself well during their first fight.
The first fight between the two was quite competitive, with Dodson’s speed and power causing problems for Johnson early on. In the latter rounds, Johnson showed a lot of heart, coming back from behind to win the contest.
The rematch showed how fast Johnson was evolving as a fighter, as he put on one of the most dominant performances of his career against one of the toughest flyweights in the division. He seemingly had an answer for everything Dodson threw at him, highlighting his ability to figure out the holes in any style and take advantage of them.
By the end of the bout, Dodson looked like he was about to pass out, while Johnson looked like he was ready for five more rounds. DJ was a completely different fighter only two years after their first fight.
The Mighty Mouse Has The Best Case For GOAT
DJ’s greatness isn’t defined by any moment in his career but rather by the collective of all his fights. No fighter in the history of mixed martial arts has displayed anything close to the versatility DJ showcases whenever he walks inside the cage.
The man even makes time to defeat giants in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in his spare time. He’s shared a ring with Muay Thai legend Rodtang Jitmuangnon without getting his head kicked off.
For almost 20 years, DJ has been the best flyweight in mixed martial arts, and no one else has dominated their divisions to that extent.
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