Demetrious Johnson

MIXED-MARTIAL ARTS SUPERSTAR TALKS ABOUT BEING A SMALLER FIGHTER IN A COMBAT SPORT RULED BY GIANTS

- Terry L. Wilson

At first glance, most people — most martial artists, even — will zero in on the smaller person in any fight and deem him or her to be at a distinct disadvantage. It’s a natural tendency to draw this conclusion based on obvious attributes such as height, weight and reach. However, that tendency does not always lead to accurate conclusions.

This should not come as a complete surprise given the underlying premise of the martial arts, which were created to overcome inherent physical advantages bestowed at birth. Some fighters have capitalized on this aspect of the arts and gone one step beyond — by learning how to use their smaller stature as an advantage. This encompasses not just using the speed advantage that’s enjoyed by fighters with smaller physiques but also altering the techniques themselves to make them more functional against a taller foe.

Demetrious Johnson is a master of these tactics. The 12-time flyweight world champion has built his combat career on being a smaller fighter who isn’t slowed down by size. At 5 feet 3 inches, the 125-pound Johnson — who goes by the nickname “Mighty Mouse” — holds the record for the most UFC title defenses (11 in a row) and is considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter on Earth. Many regard Johnson as the first lightweight superstar to emerge in the sport of mixed martial arts.

Black Belt recently had the chance to sit down with Mighty Mouse and learn about his views on being a winning fighter who’s never hampered by size.

FIGHTING STYLE

Johnson attributes much of his success to his background in pankration and wrestling, a foundation he laid before he embarked on a career in MMA. Both styles emphasize the strategic use of leverage, which makes them ideal for smaller fighters.