Welsh MMA's 'pioneer' Johns hangs up the gloves

Story byBrett Johns had a professional career of 21 wins and six losses []Gareth Bailey - BBC Sport WalesSun, December 14, 2025 at 8:32 AM UTC·5 min readThere is no more satisfying feeling for a fighter than going out on your own terms. Sometimes the sport retires you before you can have a say in the matter, but sometimes you get the choice of when and how. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor Brett Johns, Saturday night marked the final bout of his 13 and a half year professional career - a career which saw him win two world titles and become the first Welshman to fight in the UFC. While it was not the fairytale third world title ending he had hoped for on Saturday night - suffering a second round stoppage defeat to Nikolay Grozdev - his legacy will remain.'The Pikey' laid the foundations for many to follow. Johns' coaches and peers have been paying tribute to the man. Jack ShoreJack Shore boasted a professional record of 17 wins and three losses before retiring from the sport in December 2024 []"Working with Brett for me has been a massive privilege," said Jack Shore."It started as an amateur training with the best fighter in Wales and one of my idols. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"He joined my gym and not only became one of my main training fighters, but he's become one of my best friends."Shore went onto make his UFC debut in September 2019, and became the first Welsh fighter to be ranked in the promotion, reaching 15 on the bantamweight rankings in March 2022."I've shared hours and 100's of rounds with Brett," added Shore."Not only is he the best fighter I've ever trained with, but he's one of the greatest people you could ever wish to meet, which means far more than any of his fighting accolades, which let's be fair are pretty good!AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"He laid the foundations of Welsh MMA and has lead the way for over 15 years."A true Welsh legend and still one of the best fighters in the world. Oban ElliottOban Elliott earned a UFC contract by beating Kaik Brito on Dana White's Contender Series in August 2023. []"I first met Brett when I was 19, totally starstruck after one of my amateur fights."I later got to train with Brett when I was 20 and have done ever since."The knowledge he shared with me on my way up, not just on the mats but also how to develop my character and how to go about this sport as you work your way up has no doubt played a massive part to where I am today."Without Brett, who knows if the path would have been as clear to get to the top of this sport from where we are from. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Above all, he's an amazing human being and an amazing friend, my brother."A real people's champion and forever a MMA legend."He's one of the greatest and most influential Welshman of all time, thank you brother."Scott PedersenBrett Johns and Scott Pedersen regularly travel from Swansea to Abertillery together to train at Shore Mixed Martial Arts []"The first time I met him I must have been about 15 or 16," said Pedersen."He was in the changing room coaching some other boys and I was starstruck like 'Oh my God that's Brett Johns Cage Warriors champion', so I didn't really speak to him that night."I ended up going down on the Friday to train with him at his dad's judo gym, and obviously I sparred with him, he manhandled me and I thought 'Oh my God this guy is next level', which obviously he is. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"I started to train with him on the regular, next thing you know I moved to Swansea, started training with him full time."Pedersen says he is really grateful for everything he has experience with Johns."What he's done for my career is second to none."To have that type of mentor where you know you're training with one of the best fighters in the world gives you confidence through and through as well and the tips he's given me over the years, not just in fighting but in life, it's always going to stick with me and will always go a long way."".