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Dana White salutes Demetrious Johnson after retirement: ‘I was defending him from the fans’

UFC CEO, Dana White has heaped praise on former undisputed flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson — after the Kentucky fan-favorite finally called time on his stunning professional mixed martial arts career over the course of the weekend in ONE Championship’s return to North America.

Johnson, a former undisputed flyweight champion in the UFC — who retains the record for the most consecutive successful title defenses in the history of the Octagon, appeared at ONE Championship 168 in Denver over the course of the weekend, emotionally confirming his retirement from mixed martial arts competition.

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Dana White salutes Demetrious Johnson after retirement: 'I was defending him from the fans' 2

Preparing to potentially continue in his recent run of massive appearances at a host of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world championship competitions, Johnson called time on his run following a prior unanimous decision win over three-time foe, Adriano Moraes in May of last year in Colorado — retaining ONE flyweight crown.