UFC legend Demetrious Johnson breaks down in tears as he announces his retirement after a career that rivaled that of Conor McGregor and Jon Jones

Demetrious Johnson resigned.

The UFC icon and former ONE FC Flyweight Champion announced Friday night at ONE FC 168 in Denver, California that he is retiring from MMA at the age of 38.

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“First of all, I would like to thank my fans, you have always been amazing to me and allowed me to pursue my passion through martial arts,” he began his emotional retirement speech.

“Thank you to all my teammates from the very beginning until 2006 until 2024.”

Johnson then burst into tears as he thanked his coach Matt Hume and his family.

“Thank you Matt,” he sobbed. “Thank you to my wife, thank you to my kids, my father-in-law, my mother-in-law. Fucking hold on, dog.

“Thank you guys, you made me a better person. A better athlete.

“Thank you to my wife for always motivating me to achieve my dreams. Thank you to ONE Championship, the staff, the competition team, the social media team, thank you Chatri (Sityodtong) for giving me the opportunity to showcase my martial arts on this platform.

“Like I said last time I came to Denver, I told you this was potentially my last fight and I wasn’t lying.

“I’m done. I’m done competing in mixed martial arts and I want to thank you all so much for giving me this opportunity.

“And thank you to my dad who has been in my life for the past eight years, he has been amazing.

“My children, I love you, you are amazing, you can do whatever you want in life, my wife, I love you.”

Johnson, the first and longest-reigning UFC flyweight champion, is widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, with a resume that rivals that of Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre and Conor McGregor.

After winning the gold belt by defeating Joseph Benavidez in the final of the 2012 UFC flyweight tournament, DJ reigned at 125 pounds for 2,142 days.

In the process, he broke the record for most consecutive UFC title defenses (11), most submissions in UFC title fights (5) and longest winning streak in UFC flyweight history (13).

In the meantime, he also defeated several legendary fighters, including Henry Cejudo, Kyoji Horiguchi and Adriano Moraes (twice).

Johnson retired as ONE FC flyweight champion after scoring two straight wins over Moraes.

His last appearance came in May 2023, when he defeated his Brazilian rival by unanimous decision in the deciding match at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colorado.

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