(Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Vegas — The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced the former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson will be introduced to Current wing With UFC Hall of Fame as part Class of 2026. The induction ceremony will take place this summer during the annual celebration of International Combat Week.

“Demetrious Johnson is the greatest flyweight of all time,” he said Dana Whitepresident and CEO of the UFC. “Demetrious was a great champion who had one of the most incredible careers and streaks in MMA 11 consecutive title defenses it’s one of the most extraordinary records we’ve ever seen in professional sports. It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”

Johnson becomes 18th fighter introduced to Current Winga category honoring athletes who turned professional on or after November 17, 2000 – the day of the first UFC event organized according to unified rules of mixed martial arts.

A record-breaking career

Above 14-year professional careerJohnson made a remarkable one Record 25-4-1 (17-3-1 in UFC and WEC). Widely considered one of the most technically gifted fighters in MMA history, he has defeated numerous elite opponents, including:

• Miguel Torres – former WEC bantamweight champion
• Kyoji Horiguchi – former RIZIN flyweight champion
• Henry Cejudo – former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion
• Yuya Wakamatsu – winner of the Pancrase flyweight tournament

Johnson first gained international recognition after joining World extreme cage fighting promotion in 2010. Despite the defeat in the debut Brad PickettJohnson quickly bounced back with multiple victories, eventually earning a title shot against the then bantamweight champion Dominic Cruz.

The two met during the main event of the gala UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson in 2011, where Cruz defended the title by unanimous decision.

He will become the first UFC flyweight champion

Johnson’s breakthrough moment came in 2012, during his inauguration UFC flyweight tournament. After the fight Ian McCall to a draw and by defeating him in the rematch, Johnson came close to face-to-face Joseph Benavidez On UFC 152.

The fight was the main event of UFC 152, with Johnson securing a split decision victory to become the first-ever UFC flyweight champion.

Historic championship run

Johnson’s reign became one of the most dominant championship runs in combat sports history. Over the next four years, he successfully defended his title 11 times in a row, breaking the record for most consecutive title defenses in UFC history.

His championship streak finally ended on August 4, 2018, when Henry Cejudo defeated him by split decision at UFC 227.

Success outside the UFC

After leaving the UFC, Johnson signed a contract with ONE Championshipone of the most crucial Asian MMA organizations. There he continued his winning ways, winning ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix and then he became ONE Flyweight World Championdefending the belt once before retiring.

Johnson officially announced his retirement on May 5, 2023, vacating the title after a successful defense.

Professional achievements

Johnson enters the UFC Hall of Fame with a remarkable list of achievements:

• Longest title reign in UFC flyweight history: 2142 days
• Longest winning streak in UFC flyweight history: 13 fights
• Most wins in a flyweight title fight: 12
• Longest control time in UFC flyweight history: 1:05:52
• Highest significant punch accuracy in UFC flyweight history: 57.2%
• Highest significant punch defense in UFC flyweight history: 68.4%
• Third most crucial strike in UFC flyweight history: 1059

During his career, Johnson also won several prestigious awards, including: Warrior of the Year 2013 With FOX Sports and again in 2017 With ESPN AND Illustrated sports. He also received “Show of the Year” award in 2017 With World MMA AwardsESPN and MMA Fighting.

Life outside the cage

Born in Parkland, Washington, Johnson excelled as a high school wrestler at Washington High School, placing second and third in the state in his junior and senior seasons.

After graduating, he initially trained in MMA as a hobby before starting to compete. Today, Johnson remains energetic in the martial arts community by competing IBJJF Division champion and continuing his passion for gaming and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

He currently lives in Washington with his wife and children.