HomeUFCDemetrious Johnson's Controversial Take on MMA vs Boxing

Demetrious Johnson’s Controversial Take on MMA vs Boxing

Former UFC champion Demetrious Johnson sparks a debate with his controversial take on the paths to a championship in MMA and boxing. Read more to find out his arguments and examples.

Fighters Mentioned
Demetrious Johnson
Matt Hume
Teddy Atlas
Mayweather
Sugar Ray
Muhammad Ali
Henry Cejudo
Jorge Masvidal
Justin Gaethje
Ben Askren

Key Points

  • Demetrious Johnson believes that MMA offers an easier path to a championship compared to boxing.
  • He argues that the various skill sets required in MMA make it a harder route to becoming a champion in boxing.
  • Johnson cites the belts held by Mayweather, Sugar Ray, and Muhammad Ali as the most coveted in boxing.
  • He points out that in other sports like basketball, you cannot be mediocre and still become a world champion.
  • Johnson uses Ben Askren as an example of a fighter who became a world champion in MMA despite deficiencies in his standup game.

Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has sparked a heated debate with his recent comments about the paths to a championship in MMA and boxing. Johnson, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, believes that MMA offers an easier route to a title compared to boxing.

In a recent interview with The Schmo, Johnson explained his stance by highlighting the various skill sets required in MMA compared to the ‘sweet science’ of boxing. He argued that while there may be more belts available in boxing, the most coveted ones are held by the likes of Mayweather, Sugar Ray, and Muhammad Ali.

Johnson also pointed out that in other sports like basketball, you cannot be mediocre and still become a world champion. However, in MMA, fighters like Ben Askren have become champions despite deficiencies in certain areas of their game.

The debate surrounding the paths to a championship in MMA and boxing is just getting started, and Johnson remains firm in his belief that MMA provides an easier route to the top.


Fighters Mentioned
Demetrious Johnson
Matt Hume
Teddy Atlas
Mayweather
Sugar Ray
Muhammad Ali
Henry Cejudo
Jorge Masvidal
Justin Gaethje
Ben Askren

Key Points

  • Demetrious Johnson believes that MMA offers an easier path to a championship compared to boxing.
  • He argues that the various skill sets required in MMA make it a harder route to becoming a champion in boxing.
  • Johnson cites the belts held by Mayweather, Sugar Ray, and Muhammad Ali as the most coveted in boxing.
  • He points out that in other sports like basketball, you cannot be mediocre and still become a world champion.
  • Johnson uses Ben Askren as an example of a fighter who became a world champion in MMA despite deficiencies in his standup game.