The winner of the famous UFC – ONE Championship trade

In 2018, the MMA world witnessed an unprecedented event—an actual trade between two of the biggest promotions in the sport: the UFC and ONE Championship. This trade saw the UFC part ways with their former flyweight champion, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, sending him to ONE Championship in exchange for former Bellator welterweight champion Ben “Funky” Askren. Nearly six years later, both Johnson and Askren have had time to reflect on the trade, leading to a fascinating debate about which side truly came out on top. Let’s take a closer look at their perspectives and evaluate who “won” this groundbreaking exchange.

The Unexpected UFC-ONE Championship Trade

In a sport known for its surprising moments, the 2018 UFC-ONE Championship trade is one that fans still discuss today. Demetrious Johnson, who had reigned as the UFC flyweight champion, was sent to ONE Championship in exchange for Ben Askren, a former undefeated champion in Bellator. What made this trade so significant was not only its rarity but the fact that Askren had already retired from active competition in 2017. This trade shook the foundation of the sport and left fans wondering about the long-term impact.

For Johnson, the trade was a chance to expand his career in new ways. “I got to go to ONE Championship, make good money,” he said in a conversation with Askren on his YouTube channel. For Askren, the move meant a chance to compete at the UFC level, even though he had retired. “I wasn’t going to fight,” Askren admitted, “so they essentially sold an asset that was off the market.” This exchange provided both athletes with new opportunities that weren’t possible in their previous roles.

Demetrious Johnson’s Success in ONE Championship

While Demetrious Johnson had already cemented his legacy in the UFC, his journey with ONE Championship opened up fresh challenges and opportunities. Moving to the Singapore-based promotion allowed him to face new competition and make a significant impact in the Asian market. Johnson’s most notable moment in ONE came when he suffered a knockout loss to Adriano Moraes. However, Johnson used that setback to highlight the strength of the competition in ONE Championship. He later avenged that loss by defeating Moraes, reinforcing his stature as one of the promotion’s top stars.

Moreover, Johnson expanded his horizons beyond MMA, competing in mixed-rules matches and grappling events. His versatility in ONE Championship not only demonstrated his skill set but also enhanced his brand. Johnson’s ability to adapt to different forms of combat sports has made him a valuable asset to the promotion, showcasing that the move was a success, both professionally and financially.

Ben Askren’s Mixed UFC Experience

While Johnson thrived in his new environment, Ben Askren’s time in the UFC was more challenging. Despite being a former undefeated champion in Bellator, Askren’s UFC debut was far from what he expected. In a historic moment, Jorge Masvidal knocked Askren out in just five seconds with a flying knee—one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history. Although this loss damaged Askren’s reputation, it played a significant role in launching Masvidal’s career and raising his profile as one of the promotion’s top stars.

In addition to the loss to Masvidal, Askren’s UFC career included a controversial win over Robbie Lawler and a submission loss to Demian Maia. However, Askren’s impact was felt more outside the cage, where his brash personality and trash talk helped generate buzz around his bouts. His ability to promote fights, even if he didn’t always deliver in the octagon, added value to the UFC’s marketing efforts, especially when it came to hyping matchups with fighters like Masvidal, Kamaru Usman, and Leon Edwards.

The Verdict: Everyone Wins

So, who won the trade? According to both Johnson and Askren, the answer is simple: everyone benefited from the deal. Johnson thrived in ONE Championship, earning lucrative contracts and competing in a range of combat sports, while Askren got the opportunity to compete in the UFC, fulfilling a career goal, even if his in-cage performances didn’t always deliver.

Johnson noted that the UFC’s rise of fighters like Masvidal, Usman, and Edwards was partially a result of the attention generated by Askren’s trash talk and his famous flying knee knockout loss. In this way, Askren helped build the hype and excitement that led to the rise of new stars.

The Trade That Changed MMA Forever

Looking back at the 2018 UFC-ONE Championship trade, it’s clear that both promotions gained significant value from the deal. Demetrious Johnson found success in ONE Championship, while Ben Askren played a key role in bringing fresh attention to the UFC. Even though Askren’s UFC career was short-lived, his presence created a ripple effect that helped elevate other fighters.

Ultimately, the trade is a rare example in MMA history where both sides walked away with something valuable. This unique exchange proved that sometimes, in the world of sports business, there are no losers, just opportunities for growth and success.