Demetrious Johnson is arguably one of the most dominant champions active in the UFC today. He has compiled an eight-fight win streak, which includes stoppage wins in four of his last five fights. He continues to trounce the flyweight division and eliminate all challengers placed in front of him, sometimes twice.
However, while he is undoubtedly an exciting fighter, Johnson has historically had trouble connecting with the MMA fanbase and that has affected his ability to sell PPVs. According to the champion, the UFC Vice President of Public Relations has been helping him come out of his shell.
"Basically me and Dave Sholler sat down and he's was like "look bro, each time I hear you do interviews you stop and edit yourself. Like, I know who you are as a person and I just felt you've hidden yourself,"" Johnson told Submission Radio. "So when he told me that, then I was like "okay, well I'll just start talking like the way I usually do when I am at home in front of everybody". And so with that being said, it wasn't like a negative conversation we had back and forth, or him just trying...he's basically just trying to help guide me, and that's basically what most of the guys who work in the UFC PR office do. I mean I've been knowing Dave Sholler since WEC days and I've come a long way in my career, and now he's just trying to help me, you know, blossom into a beautiful flower I guess you can say."
Asked if he is concerned to voice his opinion in fear of repercussion, Johnson explained that his goal was to be a good role model, which makes him second guess himself during interviews.
"I don't want to say that. I don't want to say that I was ever scared to voice my opinion, I just wanted to make a good example, I guess you could say. And I believe even when I'm being more outspoken about things, I still believe I am making a good example for younger athletes and also future athletes. But as for me, like I said, I think it was just Dave Sholler trying to help me just grow up and be more confident when I speak, when I do my interviews."