Men’s mental health remains an often-avoided topic, even in today’s modern era. This is particularly evident in MMA, where the sport celebrates fighters as paragons of strength and toughness. However, people frequently neglect the conversation around their mental well-being. Fighters endure not just the visible physical toll of punches, jabs, and bruises, but also the invisible strain on their mental health. The perception of toughness in MMA often clashes with the vulnerability required to discuss mental health openly.

Despite the stigma, the tide is beginning to shift. Fighters like Paddy Pimblett and Sean Strickland from the UFC’s newer generation have taken a bold step by speaking out about mental health.

They’ve shared personal struggles, advocating for awareness and support within the sport, even in the face of criticism. Their stories have underscored the importance of addressing mental well-being in a field most often dominated by stoic bravado.

Recently, one of MMA’s greatest fighters, former UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson, joined the conversation. The “Flyweight GOAT” took to Instagram to share an update about his mental health, writing: “Another year of checking on my health—still looking good, boys! New Year’s resolution: no more sparring. I don’t need it anymore.”

The post, accompanied by a picture of his doctors, highlighted his ongoing commitment to his physical and mental health.

Demetrious Johnson’s career is nothing short of legendary. Spanning 14 years and 30 professional bouts across multiple promotions, his tenure in the UFC from 2011 to 2018 solidified his legacy as the inaugural Flyweight Champion with a record-setting 11 consecutive title defenses. After transitioning to ONE Championship in 2018, he keeps excelling, even defeating Muay Thai icon Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a high-profile mixed-rules bout.

‘The Mighty Mouse’ retired in September of this year, following a remarkable five-year run with ONE Championship, and became the organization’s first Hall of Famer. His recent mental health update reflects not just the challenges he has faced, but also the resilience he cultivated throughout his career.

Last summer, Demetrious Johnson opened up about how his career both tested and strengthened his mental health, sharing invaluable insights from his journey. Let’s delve deeper into what he had to say.

Did fighting improve Demetrious Johnson’s brain health?

Does enduring physical tolls actually improve brain function? While a good deal might disagree, the case of former UFC star Demetrious Johnson challenges this idea. Throughout his MMA career, ‘The Mighty Mouse consistently remained at the top until his retirement. But what was the key to his success? How did he manage to maintain such a high level of performance when some of the sport’s GOATs, like Conor McGregor, have seen their careers fade over time? What motivated ‘DJ’ to keep going? The answer could lie in his unique approach to his health.

In August, Demetrious Johnson revealed the secret during an appearance on the Feet Under with Mark Calaway podcast. He shared that for over a decade; he has participated in a brain monitoring program in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic, a facility sponsored by the UFC until 2023. This program focused on studying the brains of athletes, specifically tracking the long-term effects of fighting and the trauma that comes with it.

Demetrious Johnson explained, “After 11 years of observations, a doctor approached me with all the scans and said, ‘Demetrious, throughout your entire career, your brain hasn’t deteriorated one bit. In fact, you’ve gotten smarter, your speech articulation has improved. You’re lucky—the hits haven’t changed your brain for the worse at all.’”

So, what’s your take on mental health, especially in MMA? Do you think it’s time to take it more seriously? Men’s lives matter, and everyone is fighting their own battles, often facing struggles we can’t see. Should fans and fighters follow Demetrious Johnson’s lead, advocating for brain health studies and regular mental health checks? Share your thoughts below.