Street Fighter Death Sentence, whose real name is Maraji Johnson, experienced a setback this past weekend when his brief winning streak came to an end. Known for his viral presence on Streetbeefs, Johnson had secured a surprising submission victory in May after training with UFC legend Demetrious Johnson. However, in his latest fight against YouTuber Zach Cray, Death Sentence was defeated, dropping his record to 1-5.
Early in the fight, Death Sentence showed promise by attempting a deep rear-naked choke, though he was unable to fully secure the hold. His opponent, Cray, managed to escape and return the fight to a striking exchange. Despite throwing punches aggressively, Death Sentence failed to land any significant strikes and quickly appeared exhausted.
Zach Cray capitalized on this, avoiding Johnson’s attacks before cornering him against the fence and delivering a decisive flurry of blows. The match concluded when Death Sentence collapsed under ground strikes, prompting the referee to stop the fight. In a moment of frustration, Johnson reacted by punching a wall and leaving the arena abruptly, while his trainer remained to raise Cray’s hand in victory.
Death Sentence reignites challenge to Jon Jones
Following his first career win earlier this year, Death Sentence openly shared his ambition to compete in the UFC, addressing Dana White with renewed determination. Alongside this goal, he directed a bold message at Jon Jones, recognized widely as one of MMA’s all-time greats.
If he was in this room right now, I would swing on him,
—Death Sentence, June statement
He continued, expressing a readiness to spar with Jones if the opportunity arose and reflecting on his previous grudge against the fighter.
“F— it. Come to Charlotte, and we can spar. The reason I haven’t talked s— about Jon Jones recently is because I’m going to focus on my opposition. But if Jon Jones was in this room, I would swing on him.”
Johnson conveyed confidence in his ability to defeat Jones while emphasizing that any personal issues between them had faded.
“I could take him out. I don’t have a grudge against him anymore like I used to. I just wanted to beat his ass because I’m like, ‘Bro, I deserve what he’s got. I want it.’”
So, I don’t got no beef with Jon Jones no more. But again, if he was in this room and he wanted to run it, we can do that. It’s on him, though.
—Death Sentence
Despite his recent struggles inside the fight arena, Death Sentence’s challenge to Jon Jones signals his unwavering confidence and desire to prove himself against elite competition.
Implications for Death Sentence’s MMA aspirations
Although currently facing a difficult stretch marked by consecutive losses, Johnson’s persistence reflects a deep commitment to his UFC ambitions. His association with Demetrious Johnson, a celebrated UFC veteran, has already provided him with valuable training experience and a glimpse at professional-level competition. Whether Death Sentence can translate this into consistent victories remains to be seen, but his public challenge to Jon Jones demonstrates his fearless approach to climbing the ranks.
As Death Sentence continues to build his career, his outspoken nature and headline-grabbing calls may draw further attention to his journey. The upcoming fights will be crucial in determining whether he can overcome recent setbacks and establish himself as a serious contender within the fighting community.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Jon Jones test positive for?
A. During the hearing, it was revealed that Jones tested positive for clomiphene and letrozole metabolites. These substances are in Tadalafil, a drug used for treating erectile dysfunction, which Jones admitted to using.
Q. What has Jon Jones tested positive for?
A. He tested positive for Turinabol, which is an anabolic steroid. Consequently, Jones received a temporary suspension.