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<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto by Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC\/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Demetrious Johnson submitted, injured in first match at IBJJF Masters Worlds<\/p>\n
UFC legend Demetrious Johnson may have hung up his gloves, but he has continued competing in the gi after his MMA career. He dominated the 2023 IBJJF Masters Worlds as a brown belt, before struggling in two major tournaments<\/a> as a fresh blackbelt<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 39-year-old joined the Masters 2 (for age 35 and up) featherweight division, where he faced a familiar foe from last year. Johnson beat (then consoled) Takuto Kako<\/a> in 2024, but the Japanese grappler got revenge a year later at the 2025 IBJJF Masters Worlds.<\/p>\n After a close start to their match, Kako kept threatening with K-guard entries to Johnson\u2019s left leg, before he eventually switched over and went to 50-50 position to go after his right leg. Kako, who was down by an advantage, showed that veteran experience and locked in a kneebar in the final minute to force Johnson to tap.<\/p>\n The UFC legend went on to say after that his knee popped from the submission as well.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt about one or two pops,\u201d Demetrious Johnson said after the match. \u201c(When) he was going back to it I was like \u2018ah f\u2014k that\u2019 and I tapped. It\u2019s part of the game. At the end of the day, I would be f\u2014ng mad as f\u2014k if I had to get surgery for doing a competition where I\u2019m not making any money.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI tapped and he got his revenge. He got his revenge.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt hurts. It feels tight. I believe it\u2019s my MCL,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n Takuto Kako went on to win two more matches, before losing in the semi-finals and going home with a bronze medal.<\/p>\n UFC BJJ\u2019s Ffion Davies, other world champs win gold at 2025 Masters Worlds<\/p>\n Top pound-for-pound BJJ star and exclusively signed UFC grappler<\/a> Ffion Davies, also competed at the 2025 IBJJF Masters Worlds. The ADCC world champion hasn\u2019t competed in the gi since winning her second IBJJF world title in 2023, but she just picked up where she left off.<\/p>\n The 30-year-old Davies won the Master 1 (age 30 and up) lightweight division (141.6 lbs), winning four matches and taking her first gold medal in the gi in two years.<\/p>\n Other top level grapplers also took home gold medals at from the 2025 Masters Worlds. Two-time world champ Melissa Cueto, 2024 IBJJF world champ Jackson Nagai, CJI 2 Team Europe coach Faris Benlamkadem, and BJJ legend Joao Miyao, all won at their respective Master 1 divisions.<\/p>\n Tayane Poririo, who ended Gabi Pessanha\u2019s legendary win streak <\/a>last May, also won double gold at the event.<\/p>\n For the latest Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and grappling-related news click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n