Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3021298/one-championship-demetrious-johnson-says-i
Martial Arts/ Mixed Martial Arts

One Championship: Demetrious Johnson says ‘I expect more from myself’ after laboured win over Tatsumitsu Wada

  • Absence of coach Matt Hume contributes to flat display against Tatsumitsu Wada in Manila – ‘you gotta solve the puzzle on your own’
  • ‘Mighty Mouse’ still adapting to height difference in One – ‘I’m fighting guys who are 5’8”, 5’9”, not 5’4”’
Yuya Wakamatsu takes Demetrious Johnson’s back. Photos: One Championship

Demetrious Johnson doesn’t need to be told he was not on top of his game on Friday night – there’s no one harder on “Mighty Mouse” than himself.

The former UFC legend put in a flat performance at One Championship’s blockbuster “Dawn of Heroes” show in Manila. But he got the job done with a unanimous decision against Tatsumitsu Wada and moves on to the final of the flyweight grand prix in Tokyo on October 13.

“It was just a very methodical fight,” Johnson said at the post-fight press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena. “I was happy but at the same time I expect more from myself.

“I trained hard and looked for the finish. When I had his back in the third round I tried to throw him up for my arm bar. But I’ve got a lot of ground to cover fighting a dude who’s 5’8”.”

Johnson admitted he was still adapting to the differences between fighting in the UFC and for the Asian MMA organisation, where weight class differences mean he is taking on guys who are a lot bigger.

“It’s so hard,” he said. “Going into the fight we knew he would circle away. I fought one of their athletes last time [Yuya Wakamatsu], so they knew me being the shorter fighter, I had to cross the distance to get to him. I was more content in the clinch, I was landing more knees in that exchange.

“When he had my back I was shocked how long his legs were. When I was trying to entangle him, I wasn’t used to it. I think the last time I fought a guy that tall was Miguel Torres in 2011. I’m still trying to get used to the height difference, fighting guys who are 5’8”, 5’9”.”

“The guys over in North America [in the UFC] are 5’4”, 5’3”,” he added. “The top of the division is Henry Cejudo, Joseph Benavidez, now the guys are like 5’10”. Adrian Moraes, there’s no way he’ll make 125 pounds.

“I walk around at 135 pounds, I’m fighting at my actual weight. These guys might diet. I’m truly walking around what I’m fighting at.”

Demetrious Johnson says he had to ‘solve the puzzle’ of Tatsumitsu Wada.
Demetrious Johnson says he had to ‘solve the puzzle’ of Tatsumitsu Wada.

Johnson admitted the absence of his coach Matt Hume also affected his performance. The American has been paired with the head coach and founder of AMC Pankration for his entire professional career, but will no longer have him in his corner because of Hume’s duties as a matchmaker and vice-president of operations for One.

“Matt knows how to get to me, we’ve been doing this for so long,” Johnson said. “It’s the road I’ve chosen to take, it’s a fun experience after all I’ve done in my career. We had an amazing streak, now Matt’s not in my corner, he is sitting and watching.

“I’m learning and teaching myself. You gotta go out there and solve the puzzle on your own. When I’m fighting I’m analysing. Then I’m trying to get my legs untangled and I’m like, ‘Your legs are long’. That’s what’s going on in my mind when I fight, maybe that’s why I can’t get in my groove because I’m sitting there thinking, ‘What’s going on?’”

Tatsumitsu Wada catches Demetrious Johnson’s leg.
Tatsumitsu Wada catches Demetrious Johnson’s leg.

Despite his flat performance, Johnson enjoyed his experience in Manila, where he was given a hero’s welcome by the 15,000-capacity crowd during his raucous ring entrance.

“Ah man, it was awesome, y’all are amazing,” he said. “It was fun man, the crowd was awesome. Just a whole different level here, they cheer whether you win or lose.

“Eduard Folayang, when I saw him it doesn’t look like he lost. He’s like, ‘Yeah, it happens’. I haven’t heard one person say, ‘You suck Eduard!’ That’s what I love about it.”

Demetrious Johnson makes his way to the ring in Manila.
Demetrious Johnson makes his way to the ring in Manila.

There are plenty of questions for Johnson to find the answers to before his fight against Filipino Danny Kingad, who edged Reece McLaren in a split decision on Friday night to the delight of the home crowd. But he knows what lies in his immediate future.

“I’m gonna go back to the hotel and chill, then go home and see my children. I gotta get right back into training camp,” he said.

“I think after this fight on October 13, whether I win or lose, that’s three fights in a year – I haven’t done that since I was 20 years old.”

Tatsumitsu Wada clashes with Demetrious Johnson.
Tatsumitsu Wada clashes with Demetrious Johnson.

In his classic humble style, he also shot down any notion of dropping a weight class in One to level the playing field a bit more.

“I think I’m a little more dense than the strawweights,” he said. “I can’t make that hydrated, I don’t want to. I’m at a stage of my career where I’m having a good time and can keep eating.

“I can make 125 but 125 hydrated, I’m not gonna try to play that game. My health is way more important.”