“It only built my brand even more” - Demetrious Johnson says his mixed-rules fight against Rodtang was crucial to his career

There's no doubt that Demetrious Johnson was already one of the most successful fighters in the history of mixed martial arts, but one match further elevated his legendary career.

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Johnson said his ground-breaking mixed-rules fight against Rodtang Jitmuangnon was crucial in his career.

Johnson submitted the former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion in an absolute super fight at ONE X in March 2022 in Singapore.

The MMA legend said:

"And yeah, like, I love ONE, and I think the opportunity to fight one of the best guys in the world in Muay Thai, to have that mixed-rules fight, which only built my brand even more."

Following his win over Rodtang, Johnson faced Adriano Moraes in a world title rematch for the ONE flyweight MMA world championship at ONE on Prime Video 1 in Singapore.

Johnson lost to Moraes in his first world title challenge via knockout, and he made sure to exact sweet revenge against the submission machine.

After clocking Moraes with an explosive straight right, Johnson jumped in for the poetic flying knee finish to capture the ONE flyweight MMA world title in Singapore.

Johnson ultimately retired from MMA in an emotional moment at ONE 168: Denver in September.

Watch Johnson's entire interview below:

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Demetrious Johnson says signing with ONE Championship was the best thing that happened in his career

Demetrious Johnson may have built a stellar tenure in the UFC, but he's adamant that his move to ONE Championship was the best thing to happen in his career.

In the same interview with MMA Fighting, Johnson said his move to ONE Championship changed his career both in terms of legacy and his financial capability.

He said:

"ONE Championship is the best thing that's ever happened to me. [The UFC antitrust] lawsuit just went preliminary and I remember, said you take 23 percent of whatever you made in the company, and that's what it would be."

Johnson added:

"That time frame from 2011 all the way to 2017, I had 17 fights, I think 12 of them were world championship fights and five of them weren't. So I did all the math, I did all that stuff and I was like 'What the f***? That's all I made?' I was in bed last night just doing the math. I was like God damn, I'm f****** gutted. I was just gutted."

Demetrious Johnson is the only fighter to capture world titles in ONE Championship and the UFC.