Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson revealed that the UFC by no means gave flyweights a reduce from the PPV as he urged present flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo, to discover a new opponent.
After an exciting third struggle that noticed Deiveson Figueiredo dethrone Brandon Moreno through unanimous resolution, UFC determined to focus on an unprecedented fourth struggle between the pair. In line with Ariel Helwani, the promotion is hoping for a showdown in July, with a risk of taking the co-main occasion slot at UFC 276 throughout worldwide struggle week on July 21.
In his Monday look on The MMA Hour, the inaugural UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson questioned the fourth struggle.
“Why do a fourth struggle? Why? Struggle Pantoja. Let Pantoja struggle. Let Kai Kara-France struggle. Struggle anyone completely totally different. Go on the market, get your mojo again when you really feel such as you want it. Get a contemporary look in entrance of you.”
“Everyone’s all the time attempting to chase this title. Don’t chase the title, the title will come when you’re worthy of it, in case your path leads you to that. Don’t simply attempt to run down a street and run in the identical f—ng roadblock.”
“Struggle anyone else, then possibly, you’ll discover one thing else within the different fighters you go towards. After which while you method that roadblock once more, you’re like, ‘Ah, I understand how to do that time. It’s not the identical factor I’ve been taking a look at for the previous two to a few years.’ Do one thing totally different.” (Transcribed by Bloody Elbow).
Demetrious Johnson shares his strategic method
Having reigned over the division for years with dominance, Demetrious Johnson understands the cash that goes into reserving a fourth struggle however doesn’t think about it to be well worth the probably misplaced alternatives.
“Sure, it makes some huge cash sense for the UFC, and possibly for the athletes, too,” Johnson mentioned. “I understand how the UFC contracts are structured, so whether or not Brandon Moreno fights Figueiredo or Kai Kara-France, I’m certain he’s most likely gonna get the identical pay.
“Them boys ain’t gonna get pay-per-view factors. They by no means gave flyweights pay-per-view factors. Don’t act like y’all getting 800,000 pay-per-view buys.
“You’re higher off combating Kai Kara-France or Pantoja,” he continued. “After which when you get that, growth. You get your present and your win, so that you most likely make $250K. Then, you could be within the escalator, so that you struggle one other one.
“That’s one other $250K, so that you simply made $500K. And now, you struggle for a world title, then you definitely get your $30K Reebok sponsorship.
“On the finish, you’ll be like, ‘Hey, I obtained two fights in my contract. You already know what? I don’t need to re-sign. I need to struggle this one. I imagine in myself.’ You go on the market and struggle, and let’s say you win the belt, subsequent factor you already know you’re in an awesome place.”
Whereas one other struggle is smart for the UFC, it might not be what the 2 fighters need both as they appear to facet with Demetrious Johnson on this. Figueiredo known as for Dana White to skip his subsequent bout with Moreno resulting from alleged ‘racist comments’. One other contender who gained numerous momentum following his current win over Askar Askarov is Kai Kara-France.
The Brazilian took to Twitter to precise his curiosity in combating Kara-France after his name for a title shot as he labeled him a “soiled kiwi”.
Do you agree with Demetrious Johnson’s strategic method or do you need to see that fourth struggle occur?
