In the dynamic landscape of mixed martial arts, where warriors’ paths often intersect in unpredictable ways, the possibility of a showdown between Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and Aljamain Sterling has recently ignited a fiery debate. While this matchup might seem unlikely, especially given Johnson’s departure from the UFC five years ago, the two fighters’ recent exchanges have fans salivating at the prospect.
It all began during a conversation with a ONE Championship’s matchmaker. When asked about his preference for a potential opponent, Johnson didn’t hesitate: he named UFC bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling. However, the matchmaker, perhaps aware of the complexities of making such a fight happen, responded with scepticism, stating, “Well, that’ll never happen.”
Johnson’s choice is especially intriguing considering his current career trajectory. Five years have passed since he was exchanged for Ben Askren in one of MMA’s most talked-about trades. The chances of a return to the UFC seem slim. Additionally, at 37, Johnson appears more aligned with pursuing grappling competitions and diving into his blossoming content creation business. The rigours of cage fighting, which once defined his life, seem to be fading in his rearview mirror. On The MMA Hour, Johnson candidly shared, “I don’t know if MMA has been exciting me lately.”
Yet, there seems to be one exception to this waning enthusiasm. Aljamain Sterling. The current champion, busy preparing for a title defence against Sean O’Malley in the highly anticipated UFC 292 main event, represents a puzzle Johnson believes he can piece together. Reflecting on the unique challenges Sterling presents, Johnson remarked, “There’s a complexity to his game that I feel like I can solve it,” alluding to their respective dominance in different regions, with Johnson reigning supreme in Asia and Sterling in America.
But Sterling isn’t one to sit back quietly. His rebuttal to Johnson’s challenge, made during a gym Q&A, was laced with confidence and a hint of taunt. Asserting that Johnson was “too little” to pose any real threat, Sterling added, “I think father time has passed him a little bit.” Clearly, the UFC champ feels his time is now. Moreover, Sterling’s veiled reference to potentially moving up to featherweight in future bouts due to his physicality added further intrigue to this narrative.
Yet, there’s another layer to this developing story, and it involves a former foe of Johnson’s: Henry Cejudo. Having once shared the octagon as adversaries, Johnson and Cejudo now share mutual respect and camaraderie. Before Cejudo’s comeback fight against Sterling at UFC 288, the duo trained together. Johnson, ever the strategist, imparted wisdom he believed could tilt the scales in Cejudo’s favour against Sterling.
Johnson’s analysis of Sterling’s technique is both meticulous and revealing. He discerns a potential weakness in Sterling’s clinch game, or rather, the perceived absence of it. Johnson confidently proclaims, “I feel his weakness is he has no clinch game. I’d eat him alive in the clinch.” He continues, visualising their hypothetical bout, “He does this [jabs the air], and a funky-ass kick, and I’m like, ‘Perfect. Come here, I wanna show you Muay Thai clinch.’ I’ll eat him alive.”
But for all his confidence, Johnson acknowledges the challenges Sterling would pose. The UFC champ’s size, reach, and formidable grappling make him a daunting adversary. Johnson recognizes this, saying that while Sterling’s skills present issues, they aren’t insurmountable.
And while the MMA community would likely rally for an official match, Johnson proposes an alternative in the meantime: a friendly sparring session. “Let’s play spar,” he teased, “I’d love to grapple you.”
This unfolding narrative encapsulates everything that fans love about MMA: the competition, the bravado, the strategy, and above all, the mutual respect between fighters. While the likelihood of Johnson and Sterling meeting inside the octagon is uncertain, one can’t deny the allure of such a matchup. Regardless of the outcome, it’s clear both fighters respect each other’s skillset and legacy. Their exchanges remind us why we love this sport: for the passion, the drama, and the promise of epic battles.
