See what happens next https://t.co/qyROaGJ2r0

— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 12, 2026

Johnson came out on social media to react to the news for himself, confirming that he is retired and shamed any promoter trying to use his name in negotiating fights. He also told Mokaev to just message him next time, because the fight offer was not legitimate.

“This s*** right here is absolutely bulls***,” Johnson said. “Guys, my black a** is retired. I’m never coming back to compete ever again. If I do, it would be for IBJJF, and even then I only train one day a f****ing week. And then, shame on the promoter who’s out there trying to pitch fights to other athletes when they know my black a** is retired.”

Mokaev signed with UFC in 2021 and extended his unbeaten record with seven fights afterwards, but Dana White announced that he would be leaving the promotion for a number of reasons, implying that there were issues beyond the cage. He has since returned and continued to fight for BRAVE in Bahrain.