ONE Championship honors Demetrious Johnson with emotional sendoff but ‘Mighty Mouse’ flips the script

ONE Championship has a knack for sending their legends off in style, but their latest attempt at getting former ONE flyweight MMA world champion 'Mighty Mouse' Demetrious Johnson to leave his gold in the Circle didn't go exactly according to plan.

Johnson stepped into the Circle for perhaps the final time as the flyweight MMA king, as 'Mighty Mouse' announced his retirement before a packed Ball Arena crowd at ONE 168: Denver last weekend.

In an emotional ceremony on the mats, Johnson was expected to leave his golden strap on the ground, much like Angela Lee did last year when she retired from competition.

But 'Mighty Mouse' had other plans.

He told veteran ONE Championship broadcast analyst Mitch 'The Dragon' Chilson:

"They wanted me to leave the belt in here. I ain't doing that shi*. I came into this sport as a champ. I'm leaving my black a** as a champ too."

Alas, Johnson has chosen to hang up his gloves for good. And with his incredible career, the 38-year-old wanted to thank everyone who has helped him on this journey all through the years.

Johnson added:

"Fans, one more time. Thank you guys so much. I truly appreciate you guys, everybody, all my peers in mixed martial arts, all the other fighters who've always shown me nothing but respect. It's right back to you guys. We appreciate you guys. Thank you to ONE Championship. Thank you to everybody around the world. Thank you to my wife, my family, my dad, and my father-in-law, everybody, I love you guys. 'Mighty's' out."

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Demetrious Johnson suggests two names battle it out for vacant flyweight MMA throne: "I’m happy that now that the flyweight division can move on"

With Demetrious Johnson's departure comes the big question - who will compete for the vacant ONE flyweight MMA world title he had held?

Johnson threw two names in the hat at the ONE 168 press conference after the event.

'Mighty Mouse' said:

"I’m happy that now that the flyweight division can move on. Chatri, the matchmakers, can start putting together next, you know, a flyweight championship. Adriano and I think it’s Danny Kingad are fighting next. So they can move on."

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action of ONE 168: Denver via replay on demand via Amazon Prime Video.