Only one man has reigned in the UFC flyweight division since its inception back in 2012: No. 1-ranked pound-for-pound king Demetrious Johnson.
For more than four years, “Mighty Mouse” has stood atop the 125-pound heap, beating every man put in front of him. He owns virtually every significant record in the division’s history and currently holds the longest active streak of title defenses (8) by any champion in the UFC.
Johnson is determined to break Anderson Silva’s record of 10 title defenses before he’s through, but he’s already become one of the greatest to ever step into the Octagon.
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At just 30 years old, Johnson is still in the thick of his prime fighting years. His combination of speed, elusiveness and world class MMA wrestling makes him one of the toughest matchups in all of combat sports.
Johnson lands 55.9 percent of the significant strikes he throws and has landed a total of 778 significant strikes in his career. Both of those marks are UFC flyweight records.
When it comes to the wrestling aspect of MMA, Johnson’s record 43 takedowns landed (59 overall in the UFC, good for fifth all-time) demonstrate the champion’s dominance when grappling.
Some detractors complain that the flyweights aren’t as entertaining because they don’t hit as hard. On the contrary — the speed and accuracy on display from Johnson make him one of the most entertaining fighters to watch in the game today. He has even silenced critics by ratcheting up his finish rate of late, finishing five of his last seven fights.
Demetrious Johnson will face The Ultimate Fighter Season 24 winner for the UFC flyweight title Saturday night on FS1. The champ is the No. 1 reason to watch The Ultimate Fighter Finale.
2 – New blood at 125 pounds
On Wednesday night, Tim Elliott takes on Hiromasa Ogikubo for the right to face Demetrious Johnson on the finale of The Ultimate Fighter.
This interesting season of The Ultimate Fighter has grouped the best from around the world and champions from other organizations at 125 pounds to face off in a tournament, to earn the right to face Johnson.
Elliott is on the brink of returning to the UFC after putting together a 3-0 unbeaten streak outside the Octagon since being released a few years back. He’ll face Ogikubo, who like Johnson has never lost a fight at flyweight.
Don’t miss the final episode of The Ultimate Fighter Season 24 on Wednesday to find out who gets to face Johnson for the flyweight title.
3 – Flyweight contenders, rivals finally clash
If not for Demetrious Johnson, the consensus top two flyweights on the planet would be Joseph Benavidez and Henry Cejudo.
The two have developed quite the dislike for each other after coaching opposite teams on The Ultimate Fighter this season. Benavidez thinks Cejudo is a fake person and “The Messenger” has finally tired of hearing the trash talk from Benavidez.
Both men are ready to fight. Benavidez’s lone loss at flyweight came against Johnson, and Cejudo is coming off a one-sided loss to Johnson in his last outing. The winner positions himself for the next crack at the flyweight strap.
4 – Don’t blink for Ellenberger vs Masvidal
A certain Fight of the Night contender has to be when 170-pound striking experts Jake Ellenberger and Jorge Masvidal hook up. Both won their last fight and Ellenberger did so in devastating fashion, knocking out division tough guy Matt Brown.
Masvidal has a three-inch reach advantage but Ellenberger likely won’t be shy about getting into his range, hoping to land some of his trademark power punches.
5 – Alexis Davis makes her return
After more than a year out of action following the birth of her child, Alexis Davis is back and she is tasked with wrestler Sara McMann in her first fight back.
Davis has won four of her last five fights overall and McMann broke a two-fight losing skid with a win over Jessica Eye in May.
Matt Parrino is a digital producer and writer for UFC.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MattParrinoUFC
