There really isn’t anyone left in the 125-pound division to challenge current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) flyweight king Demetrious Johnson for Octagon supremacy. After successfully defending his title eight-straight times and leaving a somewhat talented division in ruin, Johnson is a champion without challengers. That’s why the promotion will grant a title shot to the winner of The Ultimate Fighter<\/i> Season 24 Flyweight Tournament, which includes 125-pound champions from around the world.<\/p>\n
Luckily for Johnson and fight fans eager to see “Mighty Mouse” tested like never before inside of the cage, TUF<\/i> may not be the only avenue for the champion to acquire a hungry title challenger. Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw recently suggested he could move down to 125 pounds and challenge the pound-for-pound king.<\/p>\n
“I wanna fight Demetrious Johnson,” said Dillashaw during a recent appearance on Fighter and the Kid<\/a> podcast (transcribed by MMA Latest<\/a>). ” I’m a huge fan of the guy, great dude, he’s awesome. I think he’s pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world. I want to get my belt back and I want to fight Demetrious Johnson. I want to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The whole point of me doing this is to be the best, you know. To do so I need my belt back, that’s first and foremost.”<\/p>\n Despite the fact that Dillashaw currently competes at 135 pounds, which is a weight class “Mighty Mouse” called home once upon a time, the former UFC champ is ready to cut some extra weight and fight Johnson in his own backyard.<\/p>\n “I can actually drop to 125,” added Dillashaw. “I don’t worry about cutting weight [at 135] ’til 5 days before the fight. I’m only 150 lbs through fight camp. I can make 125. I want my belt back, then I’ll fight Demetrious. I’d rather fight him at 125.”<\/p>\n Considering Johnson will defend his title for the ninth time at TUF 24 Finale on Dec. 3, Dillashaw may have to wait a little while before he gets his hands on the most well-rounded fighter in the sport today. But with insane footwork, world-class wrestling and knockout power, Dillashaw would be Johnson’s toughest flyweight test to date.<\/p>\n <\/ins>
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