Mighty: Why I am the P4P best fighter in the world
Demetrious Johnson: “The reason I have that label is my longevity as a champion and dominating higher competition.”
Last year the UFC tried to make a fight between then former bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashashaw and flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson. ‘Mighty’ balked and opted to fight Ray Borg instead, spectacularly setting a new league record for title defenses, and cementing him in the minds of many as the best pound for pound fighter in the sport. Johnson had argued Dillashaw would have to earn his way up in the division, but then Dillashaw defeated Cody Garbrandt to win the title back, the earn-the-right argument broke down.
Now Johnson has announced that negotiations are underway for a superfight with Dillashaw in the co-main event of UFC 226. Via his Twitch stream.
We’re in negotiations, said Johnson as transcribed by Jed Meshew for MMA Fighting. Once my main man gets in here I’ll have him update all of the commands, that way when people come in here and ask about T.J. Dillashaw and Demetrious Johnson fighting each other, you guys know negotiations have begun. They have begun.
The reason I’m the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world is I beat everyone in my division. He’s had close fights with guys in his division, like Raphael Assuncao. Dominick Cruz beat him. His last fight, against Cody, he got dropped.
It’s a little different, especially when you’re talking about a bigger guy going down to fight a smaller guy. I think the reason people put that label on me is I’ve beaten every single type of style and skill set that’s come to me. I beat John Dodson twice – TJ lost to Dodson.
I’ve been a champion for five years. He hasn’t been a champion for a year yet. If he were to beat me, and everyone would say, ‘Oh, he’s the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world!’ and the next thing you know, he gets knocked out in a bantamweight fight, I would say that ‘reign’ would be cheap. It’s not warranted.
The reason I have that label is my longevity as a champion and dominating higher competition. His fight against Cody wasn’t a blowout, they exchanged and his punch landed. It wasn’t like he dominated him in wrestling or jiu-jitsu. That’s my personal opinion.
UFC 226: Miocic vs. Cormier will be held on July 7, 2018 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
