Demetrious Johnson announces his RETIREMENT from MMA - as the former UFC champion steps away from the sport as one of the all-time greats

Demetrious Johnson's illustrious career in mixed martial arts has come to an end.

At ONE 168,the 38-year-old took to the cage in his hometown of Denver,Colorado to announce that he is stepping away from the sport in an emotional speech.

After making his professional debut in 2009 following an undefeated stint as an amateur Johnson would go on to compile a record of 25 wins and four losses with one draw inside the cage.

On Friday Johnson became the first inductee in the ONE Championship Hall of Fame,and gave thanks to those who had helped him on his journey.

'Thank you to you guys,you guys that made me a better person,a better athlete,' Johnson said. 

After leaving the UFC Johnson would go on to further success in ONE Championship

In 2018 Johnson and Cejudo would meet again at UFC 227,with the Olympic gold medallist this time getting his hand raised by the narrowest of margins on the judges' scorecards.

Despite holding multiple records in the UFC,Cejudo would later be involved in the biggest promotional swap deal in MMA history as he joined ONE with Ben Askren going the other way.

After debuting in the Singapore-based promotion Johnson's dominance did not wane,with a lone KO loss to Adriano Moraes avenged twice over.

Johnson's final in-cage outing came in May of last year,as he defeated Moraes in their trilogy bout to retain the ONE flyweight title.

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