Demetrious Johnson Wants TJ Dillashaw At International Fight Week
Demetrious Johnson Wants TJ Dillashaw At International Fight Week
UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson continues to eye a bout vs. bantamweight king TJ Dillashaw. Latest update here.
UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson recently underwent shoulder surgery, but now the most dominant champion in UFC history is eyeing up a marquee fight.
There has been some back-and-forth in recent months between Johnson and bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, with both fighters expressing interest in a potential super fight.
Now that Johnson knows his recovery is going smoothly, he’s hopeful to return this summer. And when he does, he wants Dillashaw to be the man across the UFC Octagon.
Johnson specifically called for the matchup against Dillashaw to take place in July at International Fight Week while speaking to the fans at a MetroPCS fan Q&A ahead of last weekend’s UFC 220 pay-per-view in Boston.
“Recovery is going good. I had rotator cuff [surgery], labrum and joint clean-out,” Johnson said, as transcribed by MMAnytt.com. “After 11 title defenses and 12 championship fights, the old dog needs to get some rehab. I got it cleaned up.
"Six weeks [to] recover, we can get strong again, and hopefully TJ Dillashaw can get this match done. Hopefully July, International Fight Week, on a big, big card.”
If the bout does happen, it’s believed Dillashaw would attempt to drop to 125 pounds. After he claimed the bantamweight title at UFC 217, the current 135-pound champion said he was willing to drop the weight.
“Demetrious can’t run from this one,” Dillashaw said at the time (h/t MMAJunkie.com). “This one’s too big. (Johnson) broke his (title-defense) record. He got to pad himself and break his record. Now, let’s make some money.”
There’s no denying a Johnson-Dillashaw fight would be one of the biggest fights in the history of the UFC’s flyweight division. It will all come down to whether both sides can reach an agreement that makes everyone financially happy.
By Josh Sanchez
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