UFC great Demetrious Johnson's complex family history: From growing up with a deaf mother to meeting his father at 31 - Here's all you need to know

MMA fans unanimously recognize Demetrious Johnson as one of the greatest fighters of all time but few realize the treacherous path he took to get there. While troubled upbringings are a norm in the sport, Johnson's background is unlikely to be matched.

Before he ever stepped foot in an MMA gym, 'Mighty Mouse' was forced to deal with an abusive stepfather due to the absence of his biological father. Johnson also revealed in an interview with Ariel Helwani in 2015 that his mother is deaf and he did not even know for most of his youth.

Johnson told Helwani:

"[I found out my mother was deaf] when I met my sister for the first time. We were in middle school... My sister knew. I was living with my mom the whole time [and I didn't notice]."

Check out Demetrious Johnson's comments below:

At the time of the interview, Johnson told Helwani that he had never met his father, but the fighter would eventually have that moment in 2018 when he was 31 years old. In his retirement speech at ONE 168, Johnson thanked his father and said that the two now have a good relationship.

Check out Ariel Helwani and Demetrious Johnson's full interview from MMAFightingonSBN below:

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Demetrious Johnson credits wife for personal growth

As one can imagine, growing up under the conditions Demetrious Johnson did, caused him to have to deal with emotional and mental hurdles as an adult. While he excelled in his athletic career, Johnson has openly admitted to struggling in his personal life in the past, something he credits his wife with helping him through.

Johnson met his wife, Destiny Bartels, in 2006, and the two were married in 2012. Johnson has stated that the love he has been given by his wife has helped him overcome the lack thereof from his childhood and succeed as a father with their children.

In his ONE 168 retirement speech, Johnson also thanked his mother and father-in-law for their support and guidance throughout his illustrious career.