Speaking on His Brother and LGBTQ+ Topics

MMA legend Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time, recently shared personal insights about his family during an appearance on the Outta Pocket with RGIII podcast. Johnson revealed that his sister is a lesbian and that his brother is gay, shedding light on their family dynamic and how they communicate with humor and mutual respect.

During the interview, Johnson discussed how he often jokes with his brother, emphasizing that their exchanges are lighthearted and come from a place of love. However, he also mentioned being protective when it comes to his children.

“I tell my kids, ‘Don’t bring that gay shit here.’ I say the same thing to my brother, but he’s cool. He says it back,” Johnson said, laughing.

Johnson quickly clarified that his words were not meant in a negative way and that he fully supports his brother’s identity.

“We don’t care, we love him,” he emphasized.

Johnson’s openness about his family’s dynamics highlights how humor and acceptance can coexist, even when discussing sensitive topics.

A Fighter Raised by a Strong Mother

Beyond his legendary MMA career, Johnson also spoke about his childhood and upbringing, revealing that he grew up without a father figure. He recalled how his mother had to take on multiple roles, providing for him, his brother, and his sister.

“I never saw my mom love a man. I saw her be abused by men. So when I got older, I had to look for father figures on my own,” Johnson shared.

These experiences shaped his own values as a father. Now married with children, he takes pride in breaking the cycle and being a present and involved dad.

“I want my kids to grow up with both parents. I’m there every day, and I love it,” he added.

The UFC’s Most Dominant Champion

Demetrious Johnson is often regarded as the most technically complete MMA fighter in history. His UFC career began on February 5, 2011, with a victory over Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto at UFC 126.

After multiple impressive performances, Johnson became the inaugural UFC Flyweight Champion at UFC 152, defeating Joseph Benavidez via split decision. What followed was a historic reign—Johnson successfully defended his title 11 times, the longest championship streak in UFC history.

“When they introduced the 125-pound division, I was like, ‘It’s about to go down. I’m about to sling and bang, baby,’” Johnson recalled.

His title defenses included some of the most spectacular finishes in MMA history, including his famous “Mighty Wizbar”, where he lifted Ray Borg into the air and transitioned into a flying armbar.

However, at UFC 227, his reign ended when he lost a razor-close split decision to Henry Cejudo. Reflecting on that fight, Johnson admitted:

“It was a close fight. I outstruck him, and he didn’t do much in the grappling department. But he was the better competitor that night,” he said.

One Championship: A New Era

Following his UFC departure, Johnson made history by being the first fighter involved in a UFC trade, moving to ONE Championship in exchange for Ben Askren. Johnson has repeatedly stated that this was one of the best decisions of his career.

“Going to ONE Championship was the best thing I ever did. They valued my skill set and morals. I was finally compensated properly,” he revealed.

Johnson made his ONE debut on March 31, 2019, submitting Yuya Wakamatsu. After competing in and winning a tournament, he earned a title shot and on June 2, 2022, he knocked out Adriano Moraes to become the ONE Flyweight Champion.

He defended his title in their trilogy fight on May 5, 2023, before retiring in September 2024.

“At some point, you just know it’s time. I could still fight, but I wanted to leave on my own terms,” Johnson stated.

The Mental Shift That Led to Retirement

One of the biggest changes in Johnson’s mindset came after the tragic passing of his sister.

“There are two ways to die: peacefully or tragically. Seeing my sister pass made me realize that I had been obsessed with being perfect my whole life,” he said.

He explained how this realization made him rethink his approach to life and competition.

“I always trained like a machine, but after she passed, I decided to enjoy life more. I stopped stressing over perfection,” Johnson admitted.

He even recalled a moment before his last fight when he let go of his strict discipline.

“I was a week away from my fight, and I thought, ‘I really want a fried chicken sandwich and a beer.’ So I had one. And I told myself—if I lose because of this, he deserves to knock me out,” Johnson joked.

Post-Retirement: Giving Back to MMA

Now retired, Johnson has found new passions outside the cage. He remains active in the MMA community, coaching, analyzing fights, and expanding his gaming and streaming career.

“I fought my whole life. Now I want to give back to the sport,” Johnson said.

He has also spoken about the issues in MMA regarding fighter pay and contract restrictions.

“There should be free agency in MMA. The Muhammad Ali Act should apply so champions can negotiate their own fights, like in boxing,” Johnson argued.

As he transitions into this next phase of life, Johnson remains one of the most respected and influential figures in MMA history. His dominance, creativity, and sportsmanship have cemented his place among the all-time greats.

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