After the highly successful 2019 Israel Adesanya has had, some fans may claim that he’s the best fighter in the world right now. But for ‘The Last Stylebender’, that honour goes to Demetrious Johnson.

Speaking on The Ebro in the Morning Show (as transcribed by The Body Lock), Adesanya stated that he believes ‘Mighty Mouse’ is still the greatest fighter on the planet right now.

“The best fighter in the world right now? Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson. Unfortunately, he’s not in the UFC anymore but I don’t think he has anything to prove in the UFC.

“The guy, the way he operates at that weight class. He’s just so… [snaps fingers]. It’s just different. Some of the s*** he did, like when he caught the guy with a suplex flying armbar. That was nuts. Who does that?”

Adesanya started 2019 by beating many people’s greatest of all time (GOAT), Anderson Silva, and will end it as the undisputed UFC middleweight champion. His win over Robert Whittaker last month at UFC 243, was in front of 57,000 fans at the Marvel Stadium, in Melbourne, Australia. The 30 year old was also involved in one of the fights of the year, when he beat Kelvin Gastelum in a five round war at UFC 236.

Like Adesanya, Johnson also fought three times in 2019, with all three bouts coming in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix. Last month at ONE Championship’s 100th event ONE: Century, the former UFC flyweight champion defeated Danny Kingad in the final of the tournament. This came after wins against Yuya Wakamatsu and Tatsumitsu Wada.

‘DJ’ will now challenge the ONE flyweight champion Adriano Moraes in early 2020.

Do you agree with Israel Adesanya, is Demetrious Johnson the best fighter in the world right now?

See also:

Adesanya: Jones Is Like An Old Man, Costa And Romero Are Vulnerable

UFC: Adesanya On Jones, McGregor And Crossing Over To Boxing

UFC: Israel Adesanya Responds To Yoel Romero And Jon Jones