History of Demetrious Johnson in Timeline
Demetrious Johnson, a highly regarded mixed martial artist, is considered one of the greatest of all time. He is the former UFC Flyweight Champion, holding the record for most title defenses (11) in that division. He also holds the record for the most finishes in UFC flyweight history, with 7. After his UFC career, he went on to compete in ONE Championship, becoming their Flyweight Champion as well.
August 13, 1986: Birth of Demetrious Johnson
Demetrious Johnson was born on August 13, 1986.
2006: Amateur MMA Debut
In 2006, Demetrious Johnson began his amateur MMA career, winning his first fight via first-round knockout and compiling a 9-0 record.
April 24, 2010: WEC Debut
On April 24, 2010, Johnson made his World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) debut against Brad Pickett at WEC 48, losing by unanimous decision.
September 30, 2010: Victory over Nick Pace
On September 30, 2010, at WEC 51, Johnson defeated Nick Pace via unanimous decision, handing Pace his first MMA loss.
October 28, 2010: WEC Merges with UFC
On October 28, 2010, the WEC merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and Johnson, along with other WEC fighters, was transferred to the UFC.
November 11, 2010: Submission Victory over Damacio Page
Johnson submitted Damacio Page via guillotine choke in the third round at WEC 52 on November 11, 2010.
February 5, 2011: UFC Debut
Johnson made his UFC debut on February 5, 2011, at UFC 126, defeating Norifumi "KID" Yamamoto by unanimous decision.
May 28, 2011: Victory over Miguel Torres Despite Injury
On May 28, 2011, at UFC 130, Johnson defeated Miguel Torres via unanimous decision despite breaking his fibula early in the second round.
October 1, 2011: Title Fight Loss to Dominick Cruz
Johnson challenged Dominick Cruz for the UFC bantamweight title on October 1, 2011, at UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson, losing by unanimous decision.
January 28, 2012: Withdrawal from Bout and Entry into Flyweight Tournament
Johnson withdrew from a scheduled bout with Eddie Wineland on January 28, 2012, to participate in a four-man flyweight tournament to crown the UFC's first Flyweight Champion.
March 3, 2012: First Flyweight Bout in UFC History
On March 3, 2012, Johnson fought Ian McCall in the first flyweight bout in UFC history at UFC on FX 2. The fight initially resulted in a majority decision win for Johnson but was later declared a majority draw due to a scoring error.
May 11, 2012: Marriage to Destiny Johnson
Demetrious Johnson married Destiny Johnson on May 11, 2012, in Hawaii.
June 8, 2012: Victory over Ian McCall in Rematch
Johnson won the rematch against Ian McCall via unanimous decision at UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall on June 8, 2012, advancing to the finals of the flyweight tournament.
September 22, 2012: Inaugural UFC Flyweight Champion
On September 22, 2012, Johnson defeated Joseph Benavidez via split decision at UFC 152 to become the first UFC Flyweight Champion.
January 26, 2013: Successful Title Defense and Fight of the Night
Johnson successfully defended his flyweight title against John Dodson on January 26, 2013, at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Dodson, winning by unanimous decision in a bout that earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors.
April 13, 2013: Injury and Postponement of Bout with John Moraga
A scheduled bout between Johnson and John Moraga on April 13, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale was postponed due to an injury suffered by Johnson.
July 27, 2013: Submission Victory over John Moraga
On July 27, 2013, at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga, Johnson successfully defended his title against John Moraga, winning via armbar submission in the fifth round and earning his first Submission of the Night bonus.
November 30, 2013: Rescheduling of Benavidez Rematch
A rematch between Johnson and Joseph Benavidez, initially scheduled for November 30, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale, was moved to December 14, 2013, at UFC on Fox 9.
December 14, 2013: Knockout Victory over Joseph Benavidez
On December 14, 2013, Johnson knocked out Joseph Benavidez in the first round at UFC on Fox 9, marking Benavidez's first stoppage loss and earning Johnson his first Knockout of the Night bonus.
2013: Birth of Son, Tyron
Demetrious Johnson's son, Tyron, was born in 2013.
June 14, 2014: Victory over Ali Bagautinov (Later Overturned)
Johnson defeated Ali Bagautinov by unanimous decision at UFC 174 on June 14, 2014. However, Bagautinov later tested positive for EPO, resulting in a suspension.
August 30, 2014: Rescheduling of Bout with Chris Cariaso
A bout between Johnson and Chris Cariaso, initially planned for August 30, 2014, at UFC 177, was rescheduled for September 27, 2014, at UFC 178.
September 27, 2014: Kimura Submission Victory over Chris Cariaso
Johnson submitted Chris Cariaso via kimura in the second round at UFC 178 on September 27, 2014, marking his fifth title defense and the first kimura finish in a UFC title bout.
April 15, 2015: Birth of Son, Maverick
Demetrious Johnson's son, Maverick, was born on April 15, 2015.
September 5, 2015: Victory over John Dodson in Rematch
Johnson defeated John Dodson for the second time on September 5, 2015, at UFC 191, winning by unanimous decision.
April 23, 2016: TKO Victory over Henry Cejudo
On April 23, 2016, at UFC 197, Johnson defeated Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo via TKO in the first round, earning his second Performance of the Night bonus.
December 3, 2016: Victory over Tim Elliott
Johnson defended his title against Tim Elliott on December 3, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale, winning by unanimous decision despite facing challenges in the first round.
April 15, 2017: Victory over Wilson Reis
On April 15, 2017, Demetrious Johnson defeated Wilson Reis via armbar submission in the third round at UFC on Fox 24, earning a Performance of the Night bonus and tying Anderson Silva's record for most consecutive title defenses in UFC history.
July 2017: ESPY Award
In July 2017, Demetrious Johnson won the ESPY Award for Fighter of the Year.
August 2017: Potential Fight with T.J. Dillashaw
In August 2017, there were brief discussions about a potential fight between Demetrious Johnson and T.J. Dillashaw.
September 9, 2017: UFC 215 Cancellation
Demetrious Johnson's scheduled fight against Ray Borg at UFC 215 on September 9, 2017, was canceled due to Borg's illness.
2017: Meeting Biological Father
Demetrious Johnson met his biological father for the first time in 2017.
August 4, 2018: Loss to Henry Cejudo
On August 4, 2018, at UFC 227, Demetrious Johnson lost the UFC Flyweight Championship title to Henry Cejudo by split decision, ending his record 11 consecutive title defenses. He received the Fight of the Night award.
August 2018: Birth of Daughter
Demetrious Johnson's daughter was born in August 2018.
October 27, 2018: Trade to ONE Championship
Demetrious Johnson was traded from the UFC to ONE Championship for Ben Askren on October 27, 2018.
November 7, 2018: Entry into ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix
On November 7, 2018, Demetrious Johnson was announced as a participant in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix.
December 19, 2018: Scheduled Fight against Yuya Wakamatsu
On December 19, 2018, it was announced that Johnson would face Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE Championship: A New Era on March 31, 2019.
March 31, 2019: ONE Championship Debut
Demetrious Johnson made his ONE Championship debut against Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE Championship: A New Era on March 31, 2019, in Japan.
August 2, 2019: Victory over Tatsumitsu Wada
Demetrious Johnson defeated Tatsumitsu Wada by unanimous decision at ONE Championship: Dawn of Heroes on August 2, 2019, advancing to the finals of the ONE Flyweight Grand Prix.
October 12, 2019: ONE Flyweight Grand Prix Championship Win
Demetrious Johnson defeated Danny Kingad by unanimous decision at ONE Championship: Century on October 12, 2019, winning the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Championship.
April 7, 2021: Loss to Adriano Moraes
Demetrious Johnson lost to Adriano Moraes via knockout in the second round at ONE on TNT 1 on April 7, 2021, in Kallang, Singapore.
September 15, 2021: Special Rules Bout Announcement
On September 15, 2021, a special rules bout between Demetrious Johnson and Rodtang Jitmuangnon was announced.
March 26, 2022: Victory over Rodtang Jitmuangnon
Demetrious Johnson defeated Rodtang Jitmuangnon via submission in the second round at ONE: X on March 26, 2022, in a special rules bout.
June 2, 2022: ONE Flyweight Championship Win
Demetrious Johnson defeated Adriano Moraes via knockout in the fourth round at ONE on Prime Video 1 on June 2, 2022, winning the ONE Flyweight Championship.
May 5, 2023: Victory over Adriano Moraes
Demetrious Johnson won the trilogy bout against Adriano Moraes via unanimous decision at ONE Fight Night 10 on May 5, 2023.
August 31, 2023: IBJJF Master World Championship Gold Medal
On August 31, 2023, Demetrious Johnson won a gold medal in the brown belt Master 2 featherweight division at the IBJJF Master World Championship.