Demetrious Johnson calls on Israel Adesanya to retire after UFC Seattle loss: 'You've got to find something else'

Demetrious Johnson set a likely unmatchable gold standard for what it means to be a fighting champion within the UFC. And now he's the newest member of the promotion's Hall of Fame. UFC returned to Seattle this past Saturday , where Johnson was in attendance.

Speaking Tuesday on "The Ariel Helwani Show," the legendary Washington local revealed that he had avoided a UFC event since his split from the promotion in 2018. UFC officials had invited Johnson to last year's Seattle event, he said, but ultimately the relaxation and freedom of watching from home always enticed Johnson more — until his good friend and fellow former champion, Israel Adesanya, was booked as this year's headliner. Despite the joyous announcement of Johnson's recognition among the sport's all-time greats, the night ended on a sour note, as Johnson was admittedly gutted to see Adesanya take a fourth straight loss, this time at the hands of Joe Pyfer.

With Adesanya now 1-5 over his past six bouts, Johnson told Uncrowned on Tuesday that he'd like to see the 36-year-old two-time former middleweight champion call it a career. "I would [retire] if I was him," Johnson said. "There's something for me, like — why do you fight?

For the money [is one reason]; two, there's a part of me that likes the chess aspect of [fighting]. The lifestyle, it's good. But if you have the money, you've got to find something else to keep your mind engaged and always learning and thinking.