Former UFC Champion Demetrious Johnson Set For ONE GP Final

Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has experienced a different 2019 than years prior in the world of mixed martial arts.

Johnson, who was dealt to ONE Championship in something of a trade involving Ben Askren, will look to secure a victory and claim the ONE Flyweight Grand Prix at ONE: CENTURY next month from Tokyo, Japan when he meets Danny Kingad.

“I would say my experience with the World Grand Prix is it is a lot of work,” Johnson said. “This whole entire year, I have been in training camp. I have been training since January. It is fun, but it is a lot of work, so I am looking forward to getting it done with this one.”

Demetrious Johnson Vs. Danny Kingad: ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Feature

Johnson’s Path To The ONE GP Final

“Mighty Mouse” scored victories over both Yuya Wakamatsu and Tatsumitsu Wada in the opening rounds of the grand prix to advance. He will take on Kingad on October 13 as part of the first card that will air on TNT. Related: ONE: CENTURY To Feature Title Fights, Grand Prix Finals

“That was a tough fight,” Johnson said of meeting Wakamatsu. “He is light on his feet and he has a lot of power in his hands. I took him to the ground where he was not as strong and I was going to get the finish.

“(Wada) ended up getting my back, got his nice body triangle on me,” Johnson said. “I had to work through that and try to get off my back. Second round came out, more clinch battles, not a lot of striking exchanged. I am not surprised that it was tough, but they are all going to be tough.

“I was not happy with my performance, but it is behind me. It is done with, behind me and I am on to the next ground getting ready for Danny so I do not have a lot of time to sulk and think about that bout.”

Johnson lost the UFC flyweight title via decision to Henry Cejudo after making 11 consecutive title defenses over the likes of Joseph Benavidez, John Dodson, John Moraga, Ian McCall and Cejudo.

ONE: CENTURY is a two-part mega-event put on by the promotion. Angela Lee defends her atomweight title against Xiong Jing Nan in one main event, while Brandon Vera, the reigning heavyweight champion, goes after the light heavyweight belt when he meets Aung La N Sang in the other headline bout. The card also features Eddie Alvarez fighting in the finals of the ONE Lightweight Grand Prix.

Related: Demetrious Johnson, Eddie Alvarez ONE GP Fight Replays