New flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson will face winner of Formiga vs. Dodson
Fresh off of becoming the UFC’s first flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson cannot relax too long as his next challenge is right around the corner.
It was recently announced that the winner of UFC On FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot’s tilt between TUF winner John Dodson and widely recognized (but little known) top 5 flyweight in the world, Jussier Formiga, will get the first crack at the newly minted champion. Considering both Dodson and Formiga’s credentials, Johnson will likely have to begin strategizing for his first defense 14 days after defeating Joseph Benevidez at UFC 152.
Formiga is the former Shooto South American 123 lb champion whose arrival in the UFC was a formality once the division was announced. He currently holds a 14-1 record with his lone defeat coming at the hands of Ian McCall last February. Since that defeat he has reeled off five straight victories with four coming by submission.
“I’ve been waiting for this chance to fight in the UFC for years and, finally, there is a flyweight division so I can showcase my skills,” Formiga said at this week’s press conference. “I know Dodson is a powerful striker and is very fast, but I am a BJJ and judo black belt and am looking forward to the fight. I’ve been working very hard on my punches and have a good uppercut, and I am looking forward to showing this in the fight. I am looking forward to the whole UFC experience. I can’t wait to show the UFC fans what I can do.”
Formiga’s awe inspiring technique will be busy trying to slow down the lightning quick Dodson. Not that Formiga is slow, but Dodson’s speed is dizzying. The Greg Jackson pupil currently sports a 13-5 record and jumped up a weight class to bantamweight in order to compete on The Ultimate Fighter. His run through the competition was impressive as he capped it off with a sizzling first round TKO of T.J. Dillashaw. After taking home the TUF crown, Dodson immediately returned to flyweight and defeated Tim Elliott in May. With Formiga being his stiffest competition, Dodson realizes that this moment separates him from being a contender or a pretender.
“This is a huge fight for me, and a big one for the division, a No. 1 contender’s match,” the always jovial Dodson said. “Right now, everyone is trying to figure out who is who in the 125lbs class. Who fits where and who belongs at the top. Formiga is the best fighter in Brazil, he’s got phenomenal BJJ and his striking has improved a lot too. I will prove why I deserve the title shot. I think he will try to strike, because he cannot take me down. Not him, not anyone. Many have tried, all have failed.”
You may have to excuse his confidence as he is already looking forward to facing Johnson in a showdown of speedsters. But first, he promises to finish what’s in front of him on Saturday.
“I want the fight against DJ. We are the two fastest fighters in the UFC and I want to match my speed against his. Some people say he’s the fastest, some people say I am. We got to fight to see who is the fastest. I really want to match what I got against what he’s got. But I have to make a statement Friday night against Formiga. I will knock him out. If I stop him – or can you imagine if I tap him out – I’m doing a triple summersault – a 360 – off the cage.”
Either way, Johnson will be waiting.
