It’s official.
UFC flyweight champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson is as good as it gets.
In a five-round elementary beatdown of top contender Ali Bagautinov, the ultra-slick and uber-smooth Johnson displayed perfect technique, movement, quickness and control from the first bell to the last.
The victory not only serves as the champ’s fourth straight defense, but more so, it’s an exclamation mark on the flyweight division’s short list of worthy contenders.
Johnson has beat them all.
From dynamic wrestlers to powerful punchers, the 27-year-old has knocked them all down like a heat-seeking missile in a one-lane bowling alley.
However, the show must go on and Johnson remains the final act.
Here are three fights for the 125-pound king to take next as he continues his rise to ultimate stardom.
Winner of Jussier Formiga vs. Zach Makovsky
With minimal options available at his fingertips, Johnson may be destined to take a fight opposite the winner of August’s showdown between Formiga and Makovsky at UFC 176.
The flyweight bout will not only give Formiga a chance to prove the hype he possessed upon signing with the promotion was not ill-advised, but it also allows Makovsky the opportunity to showcase his skills on a brighter stage.
As one of the more unknown division’s out there, it’s important to promote the up-and-coming prospects making a run for gold.
Makovsky is one of those guys looking for exposure.
In any case, Johnson’s abilities inside and out would present problems for either man. Formiga would be an easier opponent considering his track record for getting finished, but he’s a much more well-rounded fighter than Makovsky.
Johnson would be expected to beat either contender before the final bell rang.
Winner of Brad Pickett vs. Ian McCall
Expected to face one another next month at UFC Fight Night 46, flyweight contender MCall and former bantamweight standout Pickett could essentially produce the next title threat in the division.
If you remember, McCall has already fought Johnson twice, losing to him in the UFC’s 2012 flyweight tournament semifinal and tying him in the same previously attempted bout.
Many people believed McCall did enough to overturn anything close to a draw, but Johnson left little to the imagination when the two met for the second time.
As for Pickett, his flyweight debut opposite Neil Seery back in March wasn’t as climatic as we would have hoped it would be, but his victory gives him more divisional momentum than most.
Initially, McCall would pose a bigger threat to Johnson’s reign than Picket would, but if we’ve learned anything over the years while watching a guy like Brad Picket it’s that he can brawl with anyone.
Which either way the chips land, Johnson would have a worthy, promotable opponent.
John Dodson
Easily the most obvious choice to challenge Johnson for divisional title rights sometime toward the end of the year, flyweight bowling bowl Dodson is a fighter who can actually hang with the champ.
He’s done it once before, back at UFC on Fox 6, despite losing a five-round decision.
In that fight, Dodson was able to connect on Johnson multiple times, suggesting he could potentially win by finish given the right chain of events.
As someone who has devoured the rest of the division’s growing entities, Dodson simply needs another crack at the title.
If Joseph Benavidez is unable to do it, maybe The Magician can.
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