Family’s future foremost for UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson

(This story appears in today’s edition of USA TODAY.)

UFC flyweight titleholder Demetrious Johnson isn’t driven by belts or records — the usual motivation for prizefighters. Instead, it’s all about the money for “Mighty Mouse.”

Supporting the newest addition to the Johnson clan, son Tyren, is the driving force as Johnson (18-2-1 MMA, 6-1-1 UFC) readies to face Joseph Benavidez (19-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) for a second time in UFC on FOX 9’s main event Saturday (8 p.m. ET) in Sacramento.

“I want my son and my wife to have a good life and never have to worry about anything,” Johnson says. “I wasn’t handed anything in this sport, I’ve never had any easy fights and I’ve just been working hard to get where I am.”

Johnson, 27, has many miles remaining in his MMA career. But with the responsibility of a child, long- term planning is a reality. That’s why the 125-pound title, which he has defended twice, isn’t his top priority.

“I’m not going to set my goal to beat Anderson Silva’s title defense record,” Johnson says of the former middleweight champ, who defended his title 10 times. “My bigger end-game goal is when I’m done fighting, I never have to work again.”

Undefeated in his last five UFC fights, Johnson is on his way to accomplishing that goal. He expects to compete for another decade, when he expects to have enough money to support his family.

I’m going to walk away from the sport when I’m financially secure for life,” Johnson says. “I don’t foresee that until I’m38.”

Like all fighters, Johnson has to make personal sacrifices, such as spending time away from family to train. Those hours away have translated to high-energy and acrobatic performances in the cage.

Few top-level MMA fighters have left the sport on their terms, especially in recent years, when the lure of increasingly bigger paydays forces many to hang on a little too long. Johnson, though, knows every fight could be his last, so he remains focused on gathering paychecks until he’s forced out.

“I love doing this sport, and it all comes down to how long my body can last,” Johnson says. “I’m only 27, so if the time comes when I’m 34, I’ll walk away when I’m 34. But as of right now, I’m set on 38.”