Demetrious Johnson Wants MMA to Protect Fighters’ Careers Like the NFL Protects Quarterbacks

Demetrious Johnson is pushing for better fighter protection in MMA, pointing to the NFL’s efforts to protect quarterbacks as a model for preserving fighters’ careers and longevity.

MMA is one of the most dangerous sports in the world. Plenty of fighters have broken bones and never been the same after an injury. To protect them, the sport already bans a number of moves, including strikes to the back of the head and throat strikes. Demetrious Johnson wants oblique kicks banned in MMA, and he compares it to how the NFL protects its quarterbacks.

Demetrious Johnson Makes a Case for Banning Oblique Kicks

Johnson argues that a fighter’s long-term health should come first. An oblique kick, which hits the side of an opponent’s knee, can ruin somebody’s career, he said. That is why he doesn’t use them, and he feels the same way about heel hooks. He would rather take an opponent out another way.

The NFL comparison is where his argument comes together. The league has rules against roughing the passer, which penalize defenders for hitting the quarterback late or too hard. The point is to keep the most important player on the field healthy so he can have a long career. Johnson sees MMA the same way.

“I’ll break somebody’s arm because you have an opportunity to tap, right? But heel hooks and stepping on somebody’s knee, for me, it’s like dirty. I don’t like the technique. I don’t teach that technique. It’s like the same thing with the NFL, right? You cannot rough the quarterback because they want to make sure the quarterback has a long career. I see it the same way for mixed martial arts,” DJ said.