Demetrious Johnson, the current holder of the ONE Flyweight World Championship, has for a long time been putting “Father Time” to shame.
“Mighty Mouse” is still at the top of his game and can still give the finest fighters in the world a run for their money despite the fact that he turned 37 years old this past weekend. Johnson has acknowledged that he is no longer the young upstart that he used to be. On the other hand, even the greatest of them will ultimately feel their age.
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, ‘DJ’ described a recent training experience in which his body served as a reminder to him that he was no longer in his prime:
“In comparison to when I initially began out 18 years ago, the training camps are far more difficult now. I went to Team Logic in our neighborhood and participated in open mat yesterday, and wow, let me tell you dude, man, when I woke up this morning with the intention of going to the gym to lift weights, I decided against it. My body felt as though it had not completely recovered from the grappling session that we had.
Instead of overworking himself and putting himself at risk of injury, Johnson listened to his body and took some time off to relax. He also added:
“As a result, I went home. When you’re 26, 27, and then again when you’re 37, things will undoubtedly feel different to you. Definitely a significant departure from the norm.”
Aside from the strenuous physical work they put their bodies through, it goes without saying that rest and recovery are essential components of the daily routine of a professional athlete. The meticulous approach that Johnson takes to training and fighting in general has been a significant contributor to the longevity and consistent greatness of his career.
The top competitor from AMC Pankration and Evolve MMA’s most recent bout took place in May at ONE Fight Night 10, when he successfully defended his gold strap and put an emphatic end to his feud with Adriano Moraes.
At this moment, it is still unknown whether Johnson wants to once again lace up the four-ounce gloves and restart his illustrious career. After all, his reputation as one of the greatest of all time has been established, and he has nothing more to establish.
