Demetrious Johnson Credits Martial Arts For His Life, Competes For Family

Pound-for-pound great Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson has been competing professionally for over a decade and is a 12-time Flyweight World Champion.

The 32-year-old recently confessed that he is grateful for his mixed martial arts career thus far, as it has given him opportunities he did not previously have in his life. Also, it has allowed him to provide for his family.

“Martial arts taught me hard work pays off,” Johnson said.

“I’ve been training since I was 18 years old in martial arts and it has been able to give me a life that I could have never imagined. I was able to travel to Asia, I was able to give my wife and kids a life that I did not have, and to put my kids [through] college. That means the most to me.”

Johnson met his wife at a restaurant where they used to work.

After dating for quite a while, they got married and now, they have three kids. The American mixed martial arts superstar holds family at the very top of his priority list.

“I met my wife, Destiny Johnson, at Red Lobster. She was a server while I worked as a cook, and after giving her my number, our story took off from there,” he said.

“Through our love, we now have three beautiful children, and I love them to death. They are my whole world.”

Johnson has been at the pinnacle of the sport, and although he had already achieved many great things, he never considered giving up. He cited his family as the main reason he keeps pushing forward.

“The only reason why I keep going is my family and, obviously, the competition to prove that I’m the best in the world. But it’s just a fight, just to prove who is better,” Johnson said.

“Mighty Mouse” is set to make his highly-anticipated ONE Championship debut at ONE: A NEW ERA, which takes place 31 March in Tokyo, Japan.

He will be facing Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu in the quarter-finals of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix.

With victory on his radar, Johnson’s goals in life are simple: to give his best in every bout and to provide for his family.

“For me, I just want to go out there and compete, put on great performances, and take care of my family,” he concluded.