Demetrious Johnson to Be Inducted into UFC Hall of Fame as Part of 2026 Class

Former MMA fighter Demetrious Johnson, who won the UFC's first flyweight title and successfully defended his belt 11 straight times, will be inducted into the promotion's Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2026.

The UFC announced the news during UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer on Saturday in Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena, where Johnson was in attendance with his family.

Johnson, who fought out of Parkland, Washington, finished his career with a record of 25 wins, four losses and one draw. He earned five submission wins and eight knockout victories.

Johnson's title reign lasted 2,142 days, or nearly six years.

Henry Cejudo eventually beat Johnson for the title at UFC 227 in August 2018 via split decision. Johnson then left UFC for ONE after being traded for Ben Askren. He excelled there, winning the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix and becoming that promotion's champion.

Cejudo lost the ONE Flyweight Championship to Adriano Moraes in April 2021, but he won it back in August 2022 and successfully defended the title against Morales in May 2023 to end his MMA career.

Per Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie, the 39-year-old Johnson will be inducted into modern wing of the Hall of Fame during the International Fight Week ceremony, which will take place this summer. He will also become the first flyweight fighter to earn a UFC Hall of Fame spot.

"Demetrious Johnson is the greatest flyweight of all-time," UFC President and CEO Dana White said in a press release. "Demetrious was a great champion who had one of the most incredible careers in MMA, and his streak of 11 consecutive title defenses is one of the most remarkable records we've ever seen in professional sports. It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer."

Johnson will become the 18th member of the Modern Wing. UFC previously announced in January that bantamweight Dominick Cruz will also be inducted into the Hall. In addition, the legendary 2020 strawweight fight between Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczy will be the first-ever women's bout to be inducted into the Fight Wing.