MMA Legend Demetrious Johnson Claims Gold at IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023
Demetrious Johnson, widely regarded as one of the greatest martial artists in history, continued to solidify his legendary status by securing a gold medal at the prestigious IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023. This remarkable achievement marks Johnson’s successful foray into the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as he dominated the competition to clinch the top spot at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Competing in the Masters 2 division, which is reserved for participants aged 35 and above, Johnson demonstrated his exceptional skills as a brown belt in the featherweight category. Throughout the championship, affectionately known as ‘Mighty Mouse,’ he showcased his grappling prowess by securing six victories. Impressively, five of these wins came via points, while one was sealed with an armbar submission. Johnson’s exceptional performance culminated in an astounding shutout victory of 10-0 in the final match.
Although Johnson has already established himself as one of the most formidable grapplers in mixed martial arts (MMA), his triumph at the IBJJF Championship indisputably proves his ability to excel in the pure art of submission grappling. It serves as a testament to his versatility and adaptability as a martial artist.
In his professional MMA career, Johnson has achieved an impressive record of 25 victories, with a notable eight wins via submission. Among these triumphs, Johnson’s Mighty Wiz Bar submission against Ray Borg to retain the UFC flyweight world title in 2017 remains particularly iconic. Since joining ONE Championship in 2019, Johnson has continued to impress, securing two more submission victories, including one in a mixed-rules bout against ONE’s flyweight Muay Thai world champion, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, at ONE X.
The prowess of Johnson’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills is so highly regarded that Mikey Musumeci, the reigning ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion and one of the greatest BJJ artists ever, has expressed his desire for a dream match against ‘Mighty Mouse’. This potential showdown between two phenomenal athletes would undoubtedly be a spectacle for combat sports enthusiasts worldwide.
While Johnson’s success in the world of submission grappling is indisputable, it is crucial to acknowledge his extensive legacy in MMA. Recently, he defended his ONE flyweight MMA world title against his archrival, Adriano Moraes, in an intense trilogy bout at ONE Fight Night 10 in May, held in Denver.
Demetrious Johnson’s remarkable achievement at the IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023 demonstrates his unrivaled skills and ability to excel across different combat disciplines. As he continues to add to his legacy, Johnson’s impact on the world of martial arts remains unparalleled.
