Media Demetrious Johnson: The Man the UFC Erased

[DagOban**]

A good example of just how bad the UFC treats their champions.

 

[BBMN]

To be clear, Johnson is still on the UFC's site.

https://www.ufc.com/athlete/demetrious-johnson

https://www.ufc.com/athlete/demetrious-johnson#athlete-record

 

[Cuzcatlan]

 

[SuperNerd]

DJ wasn't an innocent bystander in this. His trainer is/was? VP of ONE.

In this interview DJ suggests it was his idea and lists reasons why he wanted to go.
DJ's manager sets the trade up and the ONE presidents credits DJ's manager for getting it all done.

https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/10...johnson-breaks-down-why-one-ufc-deal-happened

Speaking on a conference call Sunday, “Mighty Mouse” discussed the various motivations he had for wanting to join ONE and what it took to get him there.

“At the end of the day, I felt that I’m pretty young in my career and I wanted to try something different,” Johnson said. “I’ve always wanted to travel the world and compete and actually grew up watching Asian mixed martial arts with Pride, mostly. To be able to have the opportunity to travel over to Asia in a whole new weight class, it’s something I couldn’t pass up.

“So obviously I had to leave, and First Round Management, with (Johnson’s manager) Malki (Kawa), after my last fight I was like, ‘You know what? You think this is possible?’ He goes, ‘Anything’s possible, man.” And so Malki was able to get it done and here we are now. I’m grateful that everything fell to the right place, now I’m a ONE athlete, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.”

ONE president Chatri Sityodtong was also on Sunday’s call and he credited Johnson’s manager with engineering much of the trade, saying Kawa “took the lead and coordinated everything.” According to Sityodtong, it was Kawa and Askren who came up with the idea to have he and Johnson switch promotions.

Another key figure was Johnson’s longtime coach Matt Hume, who also works as ONE’s vice president of operations.

DJ has also said in other interviews that he's willing to come back to the UFC if the fight/terms are right.

I think it was a shitty move by the UFC, and they didn't treat DJ the best. But I think the narrative of evil UFC trying to hurt this guy is exaggerated.

At this point, UFC has incentive not to talk about DJ's greatness. When he retires, or possibility returns, I'm sure the relationship with change again. For now, he's a big name in a rival promotion.


DJ did something in ONE, he should have did a lot earlier in his 125 career. Lose.
Dj made a star and a story, and conquered. He put himself back into the GOAT discussion by beating a guy he made.

Sherdoggers and casuals were not buying any 125er when he was UFC champion. They all sucked, and then there was Mighty Mouse. DJ was the only guy who could crown a quality 125er. He had to lose to legitimize his own division.

He burned through opponents faster than the UFC produced a contender with a meaningful record or highlight. Not only that, they were constantly booked under lower ranked fighters, often put on the pre-shows, and always booked as a secondary division.

Nobody was buying into these guys. None of them were treated as stars before getting dressed up on fight night with DJ.

All these factors were making 125 a tough sell, and making UFC resentful of DJ's dominance. There was no Matt Hughes, BJ Penns, Rich Franklins, out there for DJ to beat up. It was shining an example on the UFC's lack of ability to do their job, promote. They weren't running into any luck with 125.

I remember being an angry poster when Dana was making threats about ending 125. It felt like a spoiled kid not getting their way after putting in minimal effort.

Now that the UFC has their 125 division kicking and the landscape is different, I don't think a DJ return is impossible. Just unlikely.

 

[10000yearsold]

DJ vs Moraes 2 is hands down my FOTY so far. anything even close? I've got Edwards knocking out Usman at #2, so it's been a very solid couple weeks in mma as far as those two high quality showings.

 

[jsbx45]

I didn’t say he was boring. He was fucking electric

The issue was that he was too dominant. Every fight felt like a forgone conclusion. A story where you knew the ending.

Without him around people generally feel like anyone can become champion. It’s more exciting that way

I respectfully disagree.