Demetrious Johnson is widely considered as one of, if not the greatest mixed martial artist of all time and throughout his legendary career, he has faced some of the best.
Demetrious Johnson has been competing in MMA’s premier promotion since 2011 and since then, he has competed against several eras of the best flyweight and bantamweight fighters in the world.
During that time, ‘Mightymouse’ has made the walk to the UFC Octagon 18 times and holds the record for the most title defenses in the flyweight division.
Johnson retired from MMA last September, walking away from his quick stint in ONE Championship but since then, he has been called to come out of retirement to take on UFC flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja.
Demetrious Johnson reveals the hardest hitters he’s faced during legendary career
The 38-year-old’s resume is absolutely filled with top names from the sport, including former UFC double champion, Henry Cejudo, who Johnson fought in two legendary fights.
One of Johnson’s most memorable wins came against Ray Borg at UFC 216 when ‘Mightymouse’ scored potentially the most unique finish in UFC history when he caught Borg with a flying armbar.
However, Johnson’s career wasn’t just filled with monumental highs, as like every other fighter, he had to overcome adversity on several occasions.
With the 38-year-old’s career all said and done, Johnson has revealed the two hardest hitters he ever faced.
In 2022, after he joined ONE Championship after a historic trade with the UFC, which saw Ben Askren go the other way, Johnson booked an epic mixed rules fight against Muay Thai superstar, Rodtang.
Rodtang is most well-known for his devastating power and uncrackable chin, and Johnson experienced both sides of that.
“When I got hit clean, it felt like John Dodson hit me. John Dodson and Rodtang are the only people who have actually hit me so damn hard that I was like, ‘Oh my god, that hurt’,” Johnson admitted in a video on his YouTube channel.
Johnson fought John Dodson back in 2013 in the first defense of his flyweight title, and coming into the fight, Dodson had built up a reputation for his one-punch knockout capabilities.
Who is the greatest fighter of all time?
The ‘greatest of all time’ debate is one that continues to spark in MMA with the wide majority picking current UFC heavyweight champion, Jon Jones as the greatest ever.
That is a pick that is agreed by UFC icon, Joe Rogan, who named Jones as his greatest fighter of all time, whilst also giving his props to Johnson.
Despite ‘the greatest of all time’ conversation being personal preference, the majority of MMA fans include Jones, Johnson, Anderson Silva, and Georges St-Pierre in their lists as the greatest MMA athletes ever.