On Saturday night in Uberlandia, Brazil, Ian McCall and John Lineker will go at it in a fight that will likely produce the next challenger for Demetrious Johnson’s UFC flyweight championship. McCall’s ultra-quick footwork and Lineker’s powerful fists should provide for an exciting three rounds in UFC Fight Night 56’s co-headlining bout.
Ian McCall’s first two fights in the UFC were against “Mighty Mouse.” He went to a draw in their first outing, and came up short in a unanimous-decision loss in the rematch three months later. After one more loss, to Joseph Benavidez, he’s turned things around with back-to-back victories over Illarde Santos and Brad Pickett.
The Pickett fight was where McCall really seemed to open the eyes of his detractors. He used his fast-paced footwork to leave Pickett punching at air, and he mixed in a few takedowns as well. In that fight he proved that he could implement a game plan that capitalizes on his strengths while muting those of his opponent.
Lineker has also stepped his game up recently. He probably already would have gotten a title shot if he hadn’t missed weight on numerous occasions. The 24-year old simply couldn’t cut to 125 pounds, and his mistakes cost him the opportunity to fight for the title.
In his last fight, a three-round thriller against Alptekin Ozkilic, Lineker made the contracted weight and didn’t show any signs of wear from the cut during the fight. It makes sense that the UFC would want to seem him make weight twice before putting him in such a high-profile spot opposite Mighty Mouse.
The last few challengers for the flyweight title haven’t had a lot of steam behind them. Ali Bagautinov earned a shot at Mighty Mouse by posting up three consecutive victories inside the Octagon, but only one of those was against top-level competition.
Chris Cariaso, who most recently challenged Johnson at UFC 177, also won three fights to earn his title shot, but none of those wins were over Top 10 fighters.
Since its inception in 2012, the flyweight division hasn’t gained a lot of traction among the less-than-hardcore MMA fanbase. A lot of possible reasons for this have been kicked around. Perhaps it’s because the pool of contenders are often featured on the prelim portion of the cards they fight on. Maybe it’s the persistent myth that flyweights don’t have the same level of power in their hands as their heavier counterparts.
Whatever the reason, fans just haven’t gravitated towards the little guys. This fight has the potential to reverse that course, at least partially. The bout is in the co-main event slot on Fox Sports 1, which means the focus for the show is at least partially on the flyweights.
Another reason why this fight is a great No. 1-contender bout is because it can produce a true adversary for Demetrious Johnson. He’s nearly cleaned out the division, and he’s been so thoroughly dominant that fans actually leave the building during his fights.
A third fight with a rejuvenated Ian McCall would be a lot more intriguing than the last few fights Johnson has been in. And all Lineker has to do is put those hands on you a few times before you start seeing stars. A fight between Lineker and Johnson has been talked for quite a while, and a win over McCall would seemingly put the two on a collision course.
With No. 1-ranked John “The Magician” Dodson out of action until late 2015 after suffering a torn ACL, these two are at the front of the line for a shot at Mighty Mouse. It’s a fantastic matchup, and both men have the potential to give the flyweight division, and its champion, some much-needed attention.
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