Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson has raised eyebrows with his candid assessment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, suggesting the organization has strayed from its sporting roots.
“The more I follow the sport and I cover UFC… I’m like, this is not a f*cking sport. It’s truly not. It’s a reality TV show,”
Johnson stated in a recent interview that has since gone viral on social media.
Johnson, widely regarded as one of the most technically skilled mixed martial artists in history, expressed frustration about the promotion’s matchmaking decisions, particularly regarding former heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
“I think it should have been Tom Aspinall versus Jon Jones,”
Johnson remarked, referencing the current interim heavyweight champion who many believe deserves a shot at the undisputed title.
Johnson noted that Jones, now 38, appears selective about his appearances in the octagon.
“He don’t leave the house unless he’s making $100,000. And it doesn’t excite him. That’s perfectly fine.”
However, the former champion voiced disappointment that Jones stepped away before facing Stipe Miocic, a contest many fans eagerly anticipated.
The conversation shifted to Jones‘ legacy, with Johnson addressing the controversial subject of performance-enhancing substances that has followed Jones throughout his career.
“Now that he’s gone, everybody’s looking at his career. We’re all coming out saying, you can’t be the GOAT,”
Johnson said.
He suggested polling other legendary fighters like Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov about Jones‘ status in light of his testing history.
“Let’s ask GSP. Like, GSP, let me ask you a question. Do you think Jon Jones is the greatest of all time, even though he’s failed a drug test?”
Johnson pondered.
Throughout the interview, Johnson attempted to maintain objectivity despite his personal connections to the sport.
“I try not to be biased. And even though I try, I have defended him for so long,”
he admitted regarding Jones.
