Demetrious Johnson delivers honest reaction to Islam Makhachev’s UFC 311 submission win over Renato Moicano: "He got my black a*s twice with it"

Islam Makhachev returned to the octagon this weekend and defeated Renato Moicano via first-round submission at UFC 311. It marked his fourth title defense, breaking a tie with B.J. Penn, Frankie Edgar, Benson Henderson, and Khabib Nurmagomedov to set a UFC lightweight record.

Demetrious Johnson weighed in on the finish, sharing that Makhachev got him with the move when he visited the lightweight champion's training camp. Speaking on the Mighty podcast, the legendary UFC flyweight champion shared footage of him watching the bout, stating:

"Oh, oh-oh, oh! Oh, that might be it. That's it. That's game. That's game. All he has to go is right here. I felt it twice... I felt it. I know. F**king Max Holloway just texted me, 'How strong is that d'arce? D**n!' Here's the thing. When you fight the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, you're not just fighting the skill, the technique, the cardio. You're also fighting the IQ, the intelligence of the athlete, and Islam has fought the best of the best of the division."

Johnson continued:

"He's fought Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, Dustin Poirier. He's been in some wars, and he's able to take the fight wherever he wants to. He doesn't lock it up here. He locks it up here and boom, locks it, and a lot of you don't understand is that they don't squeeze here. They squeeze with their lats, and once they squeeze with their lats, their lats are really down, and they're able just to finish that choke off. He got my black a*s twice with it, so 'Money Moicano' should not feel bad whatsoever."

Check out Demetrious Johnson's comments on Islam Makhachev's finish against Renato Moicano below:

The first-round finish against Moicano marked Makhachev's fourth finish in five title bouts. The lightweight champion has expressed interest in pursuing a second belt following his latest victory.

Ilia Topuria sends warning to Islam Makhachev following UFC 311

Ilia Topuria has expressed an interest in challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title. 'El Matador' took to X following UFC 311 to send a warning to the 155-pound champion, tweeting:

"Islam, if I want to, I can finish you.if I want to, I can knock you out. I'll make it look easy. Se you soon 😉"

Check out Ilia Topuria's tweet to Islam Makhachev below:

Topuria has expressed an interest in receiving the next lightweight title opportunity, however, he appears likely to defend his featherweight title against Alexander Volkanovski next. It remains unclear what is next for Makhachev, who also has his eyes set on a second title.