Why Demetrious Johnson is underrated like ‘Paul’s Boutique’
Do champ Demetrius Johnson’s UFC achievements inside the cage resemble fans’ first misunderstood reaction for The Beastie Boys “Paul’s Boutique” album?
Guest UG Blogger DeLeon DeMicoli argues that UFC champ Demetrious Mighty Mouse Johnson is underrated like the Beastie Boy’s Paul’s Boutique album.
Do Champ Demetrius Johnson’s UFC achievements inside the cage resemble fans’ first misunderstood reaction (and much later appreciation) for The Beastie Boys Paul’s Boutique album?
Stay with me here, folks.
Paul’s Boutique is considered one of the most underrated albums of all time. When it was released in 1989, it was considered a commercial failure. Fans didn’t get it. They were expecting something similar to their first studio release License to Ill.
They were expecting band mates Mike D., Adrock, and the late MCA to continue rhyming about frat-boy antics and hooking up with chicks. What fans weren’t expecting were for the Beastie Boys to reinvent themselves while making sampling into an art form and dropping off-the-wall references that would titillate any Trivial Pursuit enthusiast. Think of it like this: Fans were expecting freeze-dried Folger’s Choice. The Beastie Boys gave them what Samuel L. Jackson’s character Jules referred to in Pulp Fiction as —serious gourmet s—.
So how does this relate to Demetrious Johnson? After successfully defending his belt for the seventh time this past weekend against number once contender John Dodson, it seems he’s still considered one of the most underrated (and possibly underappreciated) UFC champions in the organization’s history.
Check out a few stats.
He earns less than fighters that have more name recognition on fight cards he headlines (like Frank Mir and Anthony Johnson), he headlines cards that typically draw low gates and ticket sales, and when he defeated Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC 186 this past April by armbar submission at 4:59 in the fifth round, fans didn’t even bother to stick around to watch the headliner, opting to instead cut out early.
Where does this disconnect with fans come from?
I’m not exactly sure. He’s faced plenty of adversity in his career and has come out ahead. Put him up against a striker like John Moraga? No problem. Get him in there with a wrestler like Joseph Benavidez? Yeah, he’s got this. How about a fighter with a mixed bag of tricks? Sure, but there may be some controversy in the end like his first fight with Ian McCall.
The bottom line—Johnson is good. In some ways, he’s too good—possibly ahead of his time and not yet ready to be accepted by the masses like when Paul’s Boutique was first released. His fluid movement, explosive kicks, crisp boxing and relentless pace are a lot to take in all in one fight and can sometimes feel overwhelming. It’s like watching mixed martial arts while consuming two Dayquil tablets dissolved in a large glass of Red Bull. It’s MMA in its purest form—uncut and raw. Too much and you could overdose on pure awesomeness (this goes for the entire flyweight division too).
It almost seems everyone is late to the party, not yet ready to accept a champion full of speed and technique. He fights with his head, less with his heart. And not saying Johnson doesn’t have heart. He has a ton of it. But when pressed in a situation where it’s either he or his opponent, I’m guessing he isn’t the type of fighter that will swing for the fences because of his heart. Instead rely on smarts and technique to neutralize the situation before delivering the deathblow.
The Beastie Boy’s Paul’s Boutique eventually reached double platinum ten years after its release. The same popularity could eventually come to Johnson. It just may happen after he’s retired.
It’s quite possible Johnson will go down in history as the only underrated UFC champ and pound-for-pound great.
DeLeon DeMicoli writes and trains in San Francisco, CA. He is currently writing a novel on Mixed Martial Arts.
Previous Pieces by DeLeon DeMicoli:
This Fighting Life 8: Author Frank Bill
This Fighting Life 7: Brett The Hitman Hart
This Fighting Life 6:Chris Maximus McNally
This Fighting Life 5: Kevin Roddy vs. Hurricane Sandy
This Fighting Life 4: Mirko Büchwald
This Fighting Life 3: Bashir Ahmad and MMA in Pakistan
This Fighting Life 2: Diorelle and Brooke
This Fighting Life 1: Casey McEachern
