The world is just not a very kind place for the little guy.
This summer, dynamic flyweights Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson had the spotlight to themselves. At UFC 152, set to take place Sept. 22, the two would fight for the chance to become the UFC’s first champion at 125 pounds. It would be the main event of the evening. And these two men thought they would live forever.
But the heavy jackboots of fate, as they so often do, had other marching orders. As quickly as UFC 151 went up in smoke, Benavidez and Johnson, just as quickly, found themselves dwarfed by one of the most controversial—if not competitive—co-mains in recent memory.
But I, for one, would like to think I’m the type who sticks up for the little guy. This is especially true when the little guy in question could probably kill me or any one of my enemies three different ways before any of us realized we were under attack. That’s probably why I’m more excited for the flyweight title bout this Saturday than I am for Jon Jones and Vitor Belfort.
But where do Johnson and Benavidez rank among the best fighters under 145 pounds? Read on to find out. For this ranking, we’re covering men only.