Demetrious Johnson: MMA 'not on my mind,' but door still open

While Demetrious Johnson isn't ready to officially hang up his gloves for good, the MMA legend's more than year-long absence from the cage isn't likely to end anytime soon.

"I always like to leave that door open," Johnson said on the "JAXXON Podcast." "I'm not officially retired. I'm just saying mixed martial arts is not on my mind right now."

Johnson's most recent fight came in May 2023, when he defeated Adriano Moraes for the second time to retain the ONE Championship flyweight title. The reigning champion told theScore before that bout that it could be his last, though he was noncommittal on his future afterward.

Johnson, who turned 38 earlier in August, said he still regularly trains in Brazilian jiu-jitsu but hasn't done full MMA training for a while.

"I haven't hit pads in, what - (yesterday) was the second time I hit pads in a year and a half," Johnson said.

He added: "(Even if) you don't train mixed martial arts, it doesn't mean you still can't do it. It might not be to the highest level, but I can get back to the highest level."

Johnson is one of the greatest fighters of all time. He's best known for his record-breaking reign as UFC flyweight champion from 2012-18 in which he defended the belt 11 consecutive times.