Demetrious Johnson is a type of names that all the time come up when the subject of blended martial arts‘ biggest of all time is talked about. Different names you may hear throughout such conversations embrace Anderson Silva, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jon Jones, and Fedor Emelianenko.
Nevertheless, nobody has dominated their respective divisions to the extent DJ has ever since he traded his building gloves for a pair of MMA gloves.
Demetrious Johnson is essentially the most well-rounded fighter whose identify is commonly talked about throughout conversations about who the GOAT is. Anderson Silva is principally recognized for his placing prowess, Jones and Khabib are recognized for his or her high-level wrestling expertise, whereas Fedor is thought for his knockout energy.
Demetrious Johnson, however, is thought for being elite in all elements of preventing. His placing, wrestling, and submission expertise are nearly as good as anybody else who has ever stepped contained in the cage. That’s what makes the ‘Mighty Mouse’ so distinctive.
5 Fights That Show Demetrious Johnson Is The Best MMA Fighter Of All Time
Prepared to search out out why so many individuals say DJ is the pound-for-pound finest fighter within the historical past of blended martial arts? Let’s take a stroll down reminiscence lane:
1) Demetrious Johnson Vs. Joseph Benavidez II
The primary battle between these two was a technical affair that ended with Johnson rising victorious. Benevidez was the person many followers believed can be the champion if DJ wasn’t on the Final Preventing Championships roster, and lots of anticipated their second battle to be carefully contested.
Nevertheless, Johnson had completely different plans and showcased his insane punching energy by knocking Benavidez out chilly with a wonderfully timed proper hand early within the contest. The knockout couldn’t have come at a greater time since a few of DJ’s critics usually accused him of being a degree fighter who couldn’t put anybody away. Even Benevidez didn’t appear overly involved about Johnson’s energy heading into the battle, however he discovered the exhausting method.
That win was one of the vital statements Johnson has made in his profession, given how good Benavidez is.
2) Demetrious Johnson vs. Adriano Moraes II
Some folks questioned how good DJ was when he bought knocked out by a knee to the top throughout his first battle towards Moraes. DJ had dominated the UFC’s flyweight division for years earlier than getting traded to ONE Championship, and lots of followers had been anticipating extra of the identical in his new house.
The loss to Moraes made some critics query whether or not DJ was previous his finest years, however all voices had been silenced through the rematch.
The Mighty Mouse was on a mission when he squared off towards Moraes for a second time, and he picked him other than vary earlier than bringing the competition to an finish with an attractive flying knee.
It was déjà vu, however DJ wasn’t the recipient of the knee this time round.
3) Demetrious Johnson vs. Ray Borg
It would take a long time earlier than the blended martial arts world sees one other submission as spectacular as DJ’s suplex to armbar end of Ray Borg.
Johnson had dominated all challengers for his UFC flyweight title then, and the battle performed out what number of followers anticipated it to go together with DJ. Nobody might have predicted the spectacular submission through the fifth spherical’s remaining minutes.
DJ secured again management after an alternate because it appeared he was on his option to one other choice victory, then he went for a suplex and by some means secured an armbar earlier than each males hit the canvas. It stays essentially the most spectacular submission ever pulled off throughout a blended martial arts battle. Even BJJ aces like Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Damian Maia by no means pulled off any submissions that got here even shut. It was the kind of transfer you anticipate to see in a Bruce Lee film, not an MMA battle.
The win highlights how good DJ’s submission recreation is and the way inventive he will be contained in the cage.
4) Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo I
Henry Cejudo had numerous hype behind him when he challenged Johnson for the flyweight title. An Olympic gold medalist, Cejudo devoted himself to boxing when he returned from the Olympics, and he picked it up fairly shortly.
Many anticipated him to be Johnson’s hardest take a look at, given the huge disparity of their wrestling pedigree. Nevertheless, that’s not what occurred when the 2 squared off.
DJ turned out to be lots more durable to take down and preserve down than many followers thought, and Cejudo solely scored one takedown earlier than getting knocked out with knees.
It took Johnson a bit of greater than two minutes to carry the Henry Cejudo hype practice to an finish, sending the latter to the again of the road of challengers. Cejudo finally bought some payback when the 2 fought for the second time at UFC 227, profitable a controversial break up choice that ended up being DJ’s final battle within the Final Preventing Championship.
The knockout wasn’t essentially the most spectacular a part of DJ’s efficiency throughout his first battle towards Cejudo; it was how successfully he neutralized Henry’s wrestling.
5) Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson II
Dodson is among the most explosive athletes to ever compete within the flyweight division, and he carried himself properly throughout their first battle.
The primary battle between the 2 was fairly aggressive, with Dodson’s pace and energy inflicting issues for Johnson early on. Within the latter rounds, Johnson confirmed numerous coronary heart, getting back from behind to win the competition.
The rematch confirmed how briskly Johnson was evolving as a fighter, as he placed on one of the dominant performances of his profession towards one of many hardest flyweights within the division. He seemingly had a solution for every little thing Dodson threw at him, highlighting his means to determine the holes in any type and benefit from them.
By the top of the bout, Dodson seemed like he was about to move out, whereas Johnson seemed like he was prepared for 5 extra rounds. DJ was a very completely different fighter solely two years after their first battle.
The Mighty Mouse Has The Finest Case For GOAT
DJ’s greatness isn’t outlined by any second in his profession however reasonably by the collective of all his fights. No fighter within the historical past of blended martial arts has displayed something near the flexibility DJ showcases every time he walks contained in the cage.
The person even makes time to defeat giants in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in his spare time. He’s shared a hoop with Muay Thai legend Rodtang Jitmuangnon with out getting his head kicked off.
For nearly 20 years, DJ has been one of the best flyweight in blended martial arts, and nobody else has dominated their divisions to that extent.
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