Demetrious Johnson Reflects on Improbable Journey

Demetrious Johnson looks back on his improbable road to the UFC with MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani.
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[@mmajunkie007]

DJ is a great human being. Without having a father figure he turned out to be a outstanding individual , after watching this I'm even more of a fan. What a good role model

[@TheDurden84]

Well said

[@jonrandall638]

Instablaster...

[@thepostfire]

DJ is the man! He's so chill man..

[@ATACXGYMCAPOEIRA]

One of my all time favorite combat athletes. Absolutely love this guy.

[@EddyCusani]

Mighty Mouse needs more push. For real MMA fans, they know how much of a great fighter he is, but not for a casual fan. One of the best of all time imho.

[@jw1714]

+Eddy Cusani after that cejudo fight he just got a lot more fans

[@Thatguyuknow2550]

Yeah he definitely does not get enough recognition.

[@gerrymackenzie1106]

Eddy Cusani I don't know about that man. his skills are sick he would make a great coach but u say he's a great fighter is pushing it. His skills are great but fighting is about hurting the other person so bad they can not defend themselves

[@anthonylynch423]

Dj is an inspiration for me. Growing up without a father and living in a rough and poverty stricken neighborhood, I can totally relate to everything he says. He has made me want to strive to be a better father to my own son. Anyone who doesn't love his attitude and ability is an idiot.

[@tradelikezach]

Love these long sitdown interviews. It lets us get a better understanding of a fighter, my personal favorite is the Chris Weidman one.

[@K131399]

+zachy180zz these are great but its still an interview. we cant see the camera and light setup but for dj, its an interview. you gotta catch them on podcasts. they're always different there. rogan and the fighter and the kid seem to be the best at getting their guests to be themselves. you really get to see their actual personalities.

[@tradelikezach]

+*K131399* interview or not you still get to know the fighter at a level that short 5 min generic questions over and over doesn't give.

[@tradelikezach]

mma king chris is my nigga

[@dropthebassline]

Wow, such a great interview!

[@pctechwhk]

DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON, THIS GUY IS MY ULTIMATE HERO. HE IS DOWN TO EARTH WELL SPOKEN AND HIGHLY INTELLIGENT.

[@FromPoetryToRap]

Look at how easy this little guy keeps his whole body on the couch.

[@EPSTomcat11]

Wow, this guy is awesome. Such integrity and authenticity. I hope great things will happen to him, he deserves it.

[@Magani79]

Great interview, DJ is awesome!

[@VanillaFace7071]

WOW GREAT VIDEO WATCHED THE WHOLE THING

[@cnl1213]

This interview was so enlightening and insightful. Thanks Ariel for the questions and DJ for opening up.

[@thomasmills3934]

I can tell by listening to DJ and seeing his face, he is VERY smart. That's y he's such a good fighter. His mouth can't keep up with his brain. He thinks so fast. And that reaction time is why he does what he does in the octagon.

[@Afistnu]

I love these personal interviews. From Rampage, Mayhem, Jon Jones, and now Mighty Mouse. Thanks Ariel!

[@JeremyWhy]

HONEST INTERVIEW! I not only like DJ as a fighter. I like him as a man.

[@sneak2attack]

Really likable character. Not sure what the whole "boring" is about. You would think the other champions have some super hero personality when in reality they are as "boring". I mean does Aldo have a colorful and amazing personality ? Just a lame excuse to shut down an amazing fighter just because of his size.

[@pompousass3035]

+Michael StewartART anyone who says he just holds people down have only seen a select few of his fights.....

[@sneak2attack]

+Michael StewartART DJ had two extremely late submission (record) there is no way you can categorize him as a someone who looks for decision, What match(s) are you referring to? From my point of view he is one of the most exciting fighters to watch, combines high speed with high technical ability. He lacks punch power (although not as exaggerated by the media/fans) but there is no way you can call someone as diverse in his attack and as technical in the mat boring.

[@pompousass3035]

+S2K thank you👏

[@keithsunderland5016]

Michael StewartART Yeah and Dillashaw is going to do that real soon. #andstill

[@rynomartin1]

+Keith Sunderland loll sike

[@enriquejose17]

Class act. Always loved this dude, it's a shame he's so under-appreciated by the casual fans (and hell, most of the hardcore fans, too).

[@AJDEFIXION]

Those flyweights are more mature than most HW's.

[@eric10319515045]

Well theyre probably the same age soooo

[@tonybowen455]

One of my favorite ariel interviews.

[@ludwigmarcello8915]

Great interview. I like these heart-to-heart style.

[@FalconMidget]

it's a damn shame this has less than 25k views.

[@stevenjohnson4207]

P.I. Ariel. He's on the case

[@broskimakorski3877]

DJ has had a hell of a life.

[@sjcobra84]

Standing a 160cm with a small build. Yet he still makes an impact. Good on him

[@idkmybffjv]

+mmafightingonsbn more of these long, one on one interviews. These are freaking great.

[@patrickvilone7481]

Love these interviews, my favorite ones are the DC and Jones hotel interviews... Too bad those are mysteriously gone from the internet and Ariel and company refuse to answer why.

[@MrCxt23]

+Patrick Vilone Cause on the Jon Jones interview he said The UFC will go on a far extend to make them Look Bad just for paper view buys. Why you think he ain't the Camp no more.

[@walliali202]

+MrCxt23 because he hit someone with his car... not because he badmouthed the company lmao

[@cristowwal39]

No Frank Mir interview? He was the one I was looking forward to seeing the most. :(

[@thomasbuck303]

Ariel has a unique ability to conduct interviews so gracefully. It truly is a gift.

[@ismarril]

Ariel struck gold with this interview. First time we really get to know the guy. This is the best thing that happened to Demetrious Johnson's career.

[@dom123456able]

Great interview

[@1986MoDa]

New fan right here. I though the guy was smug before I watched this interview, but think I had him wrong, really admire his determination,even before he was a fighter.........respect dj!!!

[@kipallen4191]

I'm not gonna go there Wow! You gotta D.J he has to be the classiest guy ever in mma

[@vito5405]

Wow this is a great interview! Thank you! I learned so much about Demetrius!

[@cpcypherful]

Glad DJ stepped out and talked about who he is.. Alot like myself grew up similair, and idk about other people but I have bought a few of his fights

[@refusetolose7528]

These fight week sit down 1 on 1 interviews are the best Ariel.

[@TheDurden84]

Quality interview! Thanks Ariel and DJ

[@bobileutschaftpoitras5893]

So much love for both these guys

[@MAKEUPOVERBROS]

If there where any alcohol to this conversation, we would have hours of DJs story with his dad. Clearly so much unresolved stuff there. Dont think he will ever stop wondering why his Dad doesnt reach out to him. Sad to hear but amazing how positive he is (especially when talking haters and PPVs letdowns)

[@AngelBlackwellX]

I'm his dad lol

[@Espada3_]

Great mindset great champion #AndStill

[@Bellathor]

Such a great guy.

[@ayk3144]

he is mma dialed into perfection

[@meathook3000]

I don't really like his fights, but he seems to be a great guy. Very interesting story, for sure.

[@alifarokhi710]

DJ brother from today I will be hard core fan. you are right fight game you are the pound for pound the best and enjoy watching you fight .. but you are not talker. bro from today I order every single fight of yours ...

[@theotherworld101]

He's not boring, he's articulate, an he has crazy skills in the cage, I think it's the size that people don't like, he's defiantly top 5 top 3 fighters around at the moment. If he was a little bigger an kept the athleticism an speed he would be a superstar. But I think fans are coming around to it slowly. Shame, he's a cool dude

[@theotherworld101]

+Michael StewartART which I don't get, he's constantly pressuring the opponents, he's a great fighter. ,

[@burlhorse61]

amazing interview!

[@rynomartin1]

I love this insight from normal people who became great

[@KevinC_93]

A great guy.

[@glowshaketv]

Ariel be soooooo focused 0.0

[@DoggoWillink]

Wedding Crashers joke lol, went over a lot of heads I'm sure.

[@TheVlogan02]

I have the same story as far as parents im only 20miles from Victorville great person much love mighty mouse

[@fillmyzipo]

Good guy hope he wins!

[@nickstoli]

Okay, MMA newbie here and this is probably a silly question, but why is it that a fighter's left ear seems to be more cauliflowered than the right?

[@amrwrestler4525]

I love mightymouse he is my fav mma fighter

[@hexcrab7344]

Demetrious = Goat.

[@10dev785]

Good person

[@GnashingOvTeeth]

Just broke Anderson Silva's title defense record and he has the exact same mentality and that's why he's still the champ two years later. #andstill

[@amnyss7290]

Fighters should take notes from mighty mouse , this guy is probably the most dominant fighter ufc ever brought and his talking like the most humble roaster fighter ... #HUMILITY #TeamMightyMouse #KeepinItReal

[@iwillkillyouhaha1788]

A good man !

[@KeithFarrell1993]

Mighty Mouse is a GREAT guy and one of the greatest fighters the human race has seen

[@juantwotree5710]

If every fighter on the top p4p list are the same size, DJ beats them all imo.

[@Usher111]

Great person!

[@bradcurtis3417]

awesome, loved it! :)

[@vincemelson9655]

Is everyone just going to pretend he did not just admit he knows how to Kamehameha?

[@hunterkembel5012]

Dj is from my hometown

[@mcgregorscardio100]

BEST TO EVER DO IT !!!

[@KevinHernandez-qz8sb]

I grew up around the Victorville area, maybe I've seen Mighty Mouse's dad walking around. Who knows, we could be long lost brothers lol.

[@larissacastellanos4831]

Great Interview. It was the Dodson 2 fight that won me over.

[@cpark7280]

25:58 Damn Demetrious mother got around.

[@skaf008]

hmm why people not interested in 125pounders

[@tubadude07]

+skaf008 because people are morons.

[@sneak2attack]

+skaf008 Why not, they have amazing speed and DJ is one of the most technical guys in the business today. Would you rather see overweight clumsy snail fight of two giants? hell no

[@TJJ319]

+skaf008 I'm interested in all of the divisions. The top 125 pounders are the fastest and the most technical fighters in the UFC.

[@JOSETV1]

Wow, victorville is about an hour away from me.

[@MegaEclipz]

I honestly think i dj is my hero

[@T1q121]

and STILL!

[@splittingatoms804]

I said that DJ!! I said put a sock in it and go back to kicking ass. This was when you were talking a lot concerning McMouth, maybe it's because I don't care for that guy hoping Lock-Jaw come on him soon.

[@Magani79]

IM INSPIRED

[@lowfat0g]

all I can think about is how scary Ariel would look in creep joker make up.

[@frawldog]

A ayu from my high school pinned him

[@RickRoosterBigSexy]

Those ears tho ! LOL damn

[@K131399]

fuck the numbers. look, we live in a world that's so politically correct and backwards, fans are over the moon for female fighters but find things to whine about regarding 25ers. listen to people praise joanna. is it me or is she 10lbs lighter than DJ? nothing against joanna who i think is amazing, but c'mon. if i was advising DJ i would tell him to laugh it off based on its merits.

[@NorthFloridaMan]

If I was him I'd do anything to get that friend out

[@d3g3n3r4t3]

i wonder wut his dads last name is

[@DJScrimWithDat808]

5'3 125 pounds? wow that is so small

[@godzangel100]

DJ Left his friend hanging ! 17:25

[@Ipad223]

He should bail him out just like his friend payed his way.. He should change his name to mighty rat

[@mlb-yt]

+Foster McFoster yes because paying for a gym is the same as bailing someone out. tards.

[@wogahboy]

+Foster McFoster Sometimes when the gavel bangs all the money in the world can't get you out. Depends on the situation. You have no choice but to wait for parole. That bail window was gone when Johnson started making money,

[@Ipad223]

+M Baas it's not about the amount of money it's how much it meant to him. I'm sure you're a great friend too ..

[@mlb-yt]

Foster McFoster i actually am. He is in jail for his own mistakes, not for coincidences. Everyone has their own responsibilities

[@JayemOrtiz]

31k views?

[@Andrew-oj7kd]

Why is the interviewer being so bait? Trying to get him to admit details about the drug dealer, his old friends names etc

[@wilkinson1144]

it's helwanis thing he asks questions others wouldn't and loves putting people on the spot that's why fans love him and fighters hate Him

[@Andrew-oj7kd]

i see, thanks

[@user-ys3ri9kz3x]

Есть перевод?

[@anthonysampayo9221]

What a strange life

[@dondawati4345]

Smaller guys can defeat bigger guys with speed,cardio and elusiveness..look at david haye 100 kg vs valuev 144 kg....i wanna see DJ vs a Weltwerweight champion lol

[@sdbrahm2294]

what religion is he? just curious...

[@K131399]

cagefighter? shouldnt the people inside the game be at least making an effort to make terms like cagefighter unacceptable? if you must add something instead of just calling them fighters, wouldnt octagon or mma fighter be more accurate? if you're trying to explain mma to people with no athletic interests whatsoever, would you refer to it as cagefighting when trying to rationalize why you find it compelling? ariel should know better

[@K131399]

how upside down and ridiculous is it that people openly say they dont like 'the little guys' but i have to suffer through anything to do with raunchy ronda?? can people think for themselves or do they just repeat things without thinking about them? so, its cool to have woman fighting that looks like ufc 1 at best, but mighty mouse who just happens to be arguably the best fighter on the planet is too small and therefore is not worth watching?? but what makes it truly disturbing is joanna is 115 and people have no problem posting how great she is lol. joanna is a great striker and does deserve praise but i thought the 125ers were too small lol.

[@Micisme86]

+*K131399* even the 135 men are still small and there are even fewer names in that division and no one complains about them

[@martialartstutor4696]

10:37 Damn Ariel nosy much? lol

[@H4lll]

DJ by R 4 sub

[@draknininaj]

weirdly shaped head

[@DMPMT]

Top 3 goat easy...

[@cazwilliams6448]

Man his ears are so low XD hence the nickname I guess lol

[@mikehalpern384]

Interesting - His interviews are more interesting than his fights ... lol - Sorry but it's true - Has it ever happened that people were booing and even leaving during a main event PPV ? Happened during his Horiguchi fight, UFC 186 in Montreal - that's how bored people were there, started leaving during the 4th round. Too bad 'cause DJ seems like a nice guy in this interview.

[@draknininaj]

Another day where we woke up in the presence of Our Lord Conor McGregor. The one that gives us food, water and entertainment. He is the Almighty one that needs to be hailed. But don´t forget that he has come upon this Earth to collect souls. You shall repent or you shall die. Amen. EIREEEEE

[@f0cus2021SOT]

I wonder how you guys look IRL

[@draknininaj]

French Grappling Addict better than you

[@f0cus2021SOT]

That's a matter I would'nt want anyone's opinion on but ladies if you don't mind!

[@draknininaj]

French Grappling Addict you look terrible and that is just a fact

[@f0cus2021SOT]

Conor McGoat Well I disagree with this! I personnaly think I look pretty good, and since you're not conor mc gregor but a fan, I can't judge of your looks either. All I said was I wondered what you guys are like in real life. Like typical irish drunkards or like the skinny white dude with his Mc Gregor shirt

[@EdwardJimenez47]

how does he even hear the questions? his ears look like they're closed shut.

[@sneak2attack]

+Edward Jimenez How old are you? 5?

[@EdwardJimenez47]

Old enough to know that I love you. S2K​

[@joshk8599]

P4P