Demetrious Johnson Believes T.J. Dillashaw Shouldn’t Be In No.1 Pound-For-Pound Discussion

Demetrious Johnson, a UFC Flyweight champion is considered the best MMA star on the planet, and he’s proven it time and time again. Johnson defended his title for a record 11th consecutive time submitting Ray Borg via armbar submission in the co-main event of UFC 216 back in October of 2017.

Demetrious Johnson is open to a super fight with bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw this coming summer as long as the UFC books it on a major card, but Mighty Mouse doesn’t believe Dillashaw should be considered for pound-for-pound discussion.

“I think the reason I’m the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world is I beat everyone in my division,” Johnson told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto while promoting EA Sports’ UFC 3 . “He’s had close fights with guys in his division, like Raphael Assuncao. Dominick Cruz beat him. His last fight, against Cody [Garbrandt], 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.”

TJ Dillashaw is ranked No. 7 on the list, has been pursuing a shot at Johnson’s title after he reclaimed his 135-pound belt by knocking out Cody Garbrandt at UFC 217. Even turned down the rematch offer with Cody as he set his sights on Johnson’s super fight. As per Johnson’s opinion, there is a major difference in what he and Dillashaw achieved in their respective careers, so one-night fight cant changes the legacy.

“I’ve been a champion for five years. He hasn’t been a champion for a year yet,” Johnson stated. “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.”

Demetrious Johnson said, fighters pound-for-pound status should be measured by their constant dominance in sport and longevity as champion in the division.

“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.”

Johnson who hasn’t suffered a defeat since 2011 in a 135-pound bout against Dominick Cruz, where he lost via submission. But in his current 125-pound weight class, he looks perfect with the record.

Do you agree with Demetrious Johnson’s remarks about Dillashaw? If they fight who will come out on top?

Published on February 4, 2018 at 12:00 am
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