Demetrious Johnson just made a case for being the greatest mixed martial artist (MMA) of all time. Earlier tonight (Sat. April 15, 2017) ‘Mighty Mouse’ made a record 10th consecutive flyweight title defense, tying former middleweight champion Anderson Silva’s UFC record, when he took home a third round submission win over Wilson Reis in the
Demetrious Johnson just made a case for being the greatest mixed martial artist (MMA) of all time.
Earlier tonight (Sat. April 15, 2017) ‘Mighty Mouse’ made a record 10th consecutive flyweight title defense, tying former middleweight champion Anderson Silva’s UFC record, when he took home a third round submission win over Wilson Reis in the main event of UFC on FOX 23. Johnson is now on a 12-fight win streak with half of those victories coming via finish.
UFC President Dana White spoke about Johnson’s performance at the post-fight press conference today, and had nothing but praise for his 125-pound champ’s performance inside the Octagon in Kansas City:
“What’s crazy is, he does what he does here tonight, right?” White said at the UFC on FOX 24 post-fight press conference. “And I’m doing an interview with Brazil and I start to walk away and I hear him (Demetrious) ask his coach ‘What did I do wrong?’ I stop and said ‘Hey, Coach, let me answer this for you. Nothing.’ First of all he looked incredible on his feet. The punch stat numbers are ridiculous, right? Then he goes to the ground and is absolutely dominating and goes for the most dangerous move you can try and pull off, an armbar.
“Not only pulling off an armbar when you’re dominating like that, but against a Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion,” White said. “The guys’s an absolute freak of nature – Joe Rogan was blowing me up saying ‘This guy is a wizard, he’s the greatest ever,’ Rogan’s going – you know Rogan is a jiu-jitsu nut so he’s going crazy. So well deserved.”
Johnson hasn’t surpassed Silva’s title defense record quite yet, as one more victory will but the sole flyweight champ in promotion history over the top. White will hold off on calling ‘Mighty Mouse’ the greatest of all time out of respect to ‘The Spider’, but admits it’s hard to deny the 125-pound kingpin the moniker given his dominance in the last five years:
“Listen he’s got one more fight, and he breaks Anderson Silva’s record, and he continues – Listen he’s already the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world, and he strives to be better each time, and he gets better each time,” White said. “Literally destroying people. This kid could be considered the G.O.A.T right now, or to give Anderson Silva the true respect you wait until he actually breaks the record. It’s hard to not call this guy the greatest of all time.”
Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy for USA TODAY Sports
After having essentially cleaned out the top contenders at 125 pounds Johnson finds himself in a bit of a predicament as it pertains to who will get the honor to challenge him for what could be a record-setting 11th consecutive title defense. White told MMA fans not to worry, however, as they’ll find a suitable opponent to challenge for Johnson’s throne next:
“Anderson Silva had that problem too,” said White. “When you run through guys as long as these two have run through guys – yeah. But I promise you we’ll find somebody.”
Demetrious Johnson proved why he’s far and away the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in MMA right now – and perhaps ever -when he dominated Wilson Reis en route to a third-round submission win in the main event of tonight’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, tying Anderson Silva’s UFCrecord
Demetrious Johnson proved why he’s far and away the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in MMA right now – and perhaps ever -when he dominated Wilson Reis en route to a third-round submission win in the main event of tonight’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, tying Anderson Silva’s UFCrecord for title consecutive defenses in the process.
Reis was never truly in the fight, as “Mighty Mouse’s” stand-up, wrestling, and ground games were all on a simply unstoppable level compared to the rest of the 125-pound division. Watch the full fight video highlights of Johnson’s latest and possibly greatest dominant win courtesy of UFC on FOX:
Already the top pound-for-pound fighter in MMA, longtime UFC flyweight champion Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson took one step closer to becoming the best fighter of all-time when he tied Anderson Silva’s record of UFC title defenses with 10 by submitting Wilson Reis in the third round of their main event bout at tonight’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on
Already the top pound-for-pound fighter in MMA, longtime UFC flyweight champion Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson took one step closer to becoming the best fighter of all-time when he tied Anderson Silva’s record of UFC title defenses with 10 by submitting Wilson Reis in the third round of their main event bout at tonight’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Johnson simply looked without peer in all facets of fighting, displaying precise, lightning-quick volume striking to hit Reis at will to soften him up for a takedown followed by a seamless segway into a fight-ending armbar. It’s not just the fact “Mighty Mouse” defeats his opponents; it’s that they just don’t have any chance at beating him anywhere the fight goes. His growing list of illustrious accomplishments has him up with all-time greats Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, and Jon Jones, and indeed some already feel he’s surpassed those fighting legends.
That has ‘Mighty Mouse’ on the verge of breaking Silva’s all-time record, where he’ll almost definitely become the best MMA fighter in the sport’s history. Is he already there?
Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson was a man on a record-setting mission Saturday night in the main event at UFC on Fox 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, against latest flyweight title contender Wilson Reis.
Mission accomplished….
Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson was a man on a record-setting mission Saturday night in the main event at UFC on Fox 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, against latest flyweight title contender Wilson Reis.
Mission accomplished.
Mighty Mouse tied Anderson Silva for the most consecutive UFC title defenses with 10. Johnson has still never been defeated as a flyweight in his career.
After the bout, Johnson didn’t shy away from proclaiming himself as the best champion in the history of the UFC:
Reis may have been a trendy underdog pick against the dominant champion, but he didn’t have much to offer in the early going.
Reis was tentative in the first round, and Johnson was able to establish himself as the more skilled fighter early on, stuffing takedown attempts and answering with knees and kicks to the body. Mighty Mouse even found a way to throw a head kick while controlling Reis’ back, per UFC:
Brett Okamoto of ESPN summed up the early advantage for Mighty Mouse:
Johnson only widened the divide between the two combatants in the second round. Not only was it more brutality to Reis’ body, but he also nearly finished the fight in the end of the five-minute period. He floored Reis with a brutal knee to the body, then took to the ground to try to finish the fight.
The UFC passed along the highlight:
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Mighty Mouse performance without a wrestling clinic, so in Round 3 the champion went to work on his opponent on the ground. Johnson owned the transitions and did whatever he wanted as Reis hopelessly looked for ways to survive.
Like all challengers to Johnson’s throne, that didn’t work out so well.
As the third round was coming to a close, Johnson bloodied Reis and locked on to an armbar that drew the tap from the challenger. And once again, Johnson walked away from a fight as the flyweight champion.
UFC on Fox provided the highlight of the finish:
Reis wasn’t able to pull off the upset, but it was a night that was chock full of them. Beyond the record-tying performance from Mighty Mouse, it was a memorable night of fights on Fox. Here’s a look at the complete results from the night was well as a closer look at the main card fights.
Rose Namajunas can do just about everything in the cage, and she put that fact on full display against Michelle Waterson. She ultimately displayed her submission skills in ending the fight with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
But it wasn’t just the submission that had Waterson in trouble.
First, there was the grappling ability. Namajunas dominated the first round by controlling Waterson on the mat and rendering her opponent harmless.
Just when it appeared that Waterson might have the striking advantage, Namajunas landed a head kick in the second round that changed the complexion of the fight from one-sided to full-fledged beatdown, per UFC:
This matchup was close on paper, but it turns out that the 24-year-old might finally be coming into her own and elevating her own game. Waterson never really posed a threat to her as she steamrolled a highly deserving title contender.
Namajunas took full advantage of the spotlight, too. She provided a promo-worthy sound clip, warning the rest of the division that she’s coming for the title, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s Heidi Fang:
Given the state of the division, it shouldn’t be long before “Thug” Rose is right in the title picture where she wants to be.
Ronaldo Souza vs. Robert Whittaker
The middleweight division has a new contender, and it isn’t Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. It’s one Robert “Bobby Knuckles” Whittaker.
The 26-year-old had the epitome of a breakout performance against Jacare.
The question for Whittaker coming in was what would happen when Jacare was able to get the fight to the mat. As it turned out, the answer was nothing. Whittaker shrugged off the prolific grappler and got the fight back to standing position.
The UFC showed the exchange:
From there, Whittaker was able to win the striking battles with power in his hands and feet. He cracked Souza early in the second round and continued to work toward a finish:
Ultimately, he showed a little bit of everything in finishing the fight, starting with a head kick and ending with devastating ground-and-pound, per Fox Sports:
After the fight, Whittaker didn’t hesitate to call out current UFC champion Michael Bisping:
Bisping and Whittaker were actually slated to fight one another in 2015, but Bisping withdrew before the fight took place. Now it looks like that’s a realistic matchup possibility again.
Jeremy Stephens vs. Renato Moicano
What was supposed to be a high-profile showcase for Jeremy Stephens turned into a coming-out party for Renato Moicano. The unranked featherweight defeated the No. 5 ranked veteran via split decision to kick off the main card.
While Brian Stann and Jon Anik spoke of Stephens’ explosive power in his hands, Moicano got to work avoiding those strikes and setting his own pace. Every time Stephens came charging forward Moicano would answer with a leg kick or simply circle out of the way.
The UFC passed along just one example of the Brazilian landing a vicious leg kick:
It wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing strategy. Dave Doyle of MMA Fighting likened it to Kalib Starnes’ infamous performance against Nate Quarry back in 2008:
Meanwhile, Connor Ruebusch of Bloody Elbow praised Moicano’s fight IQ:
Regardless of how it was obtained, a win is a win. The 27-year-old moved his record to 11-0-1 with the win and should be back in the spotlight sooner rather than later. Even coming off a loss against Frankie Edgar, Stephens is one of the most seasoned veterans in the division.
A win over an opponent of that quality is a huge boost for a prospect like Moicano.
When Bill Conti and Allee Willis wrote “You’re the Best” for Joe Esposito in the mid-’80s, they thought they were doing it for The Karate Kid. No, they were merely writing it well in advance for the greatest combat sports athlete in the world today: De…
When Bill Conti and Allee Willis wrote “You’re the Best” for Joe Esposito in the mid-’80s, they thought they were doing it for The Karate Kid. No, they were merely writing it well in advance for the greatest combat sports athlete in the world today: Demetrious Johnson.
Kidding aside, Johnson mowed through yet another top contender, Wilson Reis, in Kansas City, Missouri, Saturday to tie Anderson Silva for the most UFC title defenses (10). The Sprint Center has likely never seen such brilliance painted with the hands, elbows, knees and legs of an individual before.
Fox Sports: UFC and Champions MMA illustrated just how dominant the champ was:
Johnson got his offense started right away with an inside leg kick. He was active, as usual, while Reis tested the waters to get inside range. The early offense from the champion was kick-heavy. Reis caught a kick and took Johnson down but was not able to maintain it for even a half-second.
The kicks set a good distance for the champion that kept the heavy-handed Reis on the outside. Johnson attacked the body with each opportunity. The first round was a clean start, as Johnson sought the record-tying title defense.
The pressure remained in the second. The work rate Mighty Mouse puts into each fight is nothing short of extraordinary and makes his variety of offense all the more impressive. Johnson briefly slipped to Reis’ back and landed a high knee to the side of his head, which was unconventional.
The quickness of the champ and the pace of the fight looked to be wearing on the challenger in the second round, as Johnson’s combinations were masterful.
MMA writer Jeremy Botter was impressed:
Reis was desperate to get the fight to the mat in the third, but Johnson’s sprawl was far too quick. The champ read the takedown attempts quickly and stuffed them. Johnson flung in a body kick that landed as he continued picked apart Reis.
Johnson landed a quick right and took Reis to the canvas in the latter part of the third round. The champion missed a choke as Reis defended, but the challenger was just trying to avoid being finished. When Reis attempted to get back up, Johnson threw short, crisp elbows to the face.
Johnson mounted and found another armbar to finish the fight. Near perfection.
Reis remains a part of a litany of fighters who are simply not on Johnson’s level. The challenger will rejoin the ranks of the flyweight contenders in the hopes of working his way back to another title shot.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani provided post-fight comments from Mighty Mouse, while the UFC relayed footage of his interview with Fox Sports:
It’s hard to determine what’s next for Johnson. He’s made his title run look remarkably easy. Does Joseph Benavidez get another shot, or is Henry Cejudo nearing his rematch? Perhaps, but what should be on deck is a superfight with the winner of Cody Garbrandt vs. TJ Dillashaw. It’s all that remains. Johnson’s cleared out the flyweights.
Brian Stann asked about a potential superfight in the post-fight interview in the cage, but Johnson did not call anyone out. He said he needs seven figures. Who’s to argue? He deserves it.
Regardless of who steps into the cage opposite Johnson next, there is little doubt that as of April 15, 2017, he is the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet and arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history.
Demetrious Johnson (26-2-1) tied the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) record for most successful consecutive title defenses against Wilson Reis (22-7). In the main event of UFC on FOX 24, Johnson defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) flyweight title against Reis. It was the 10th title defense for “Mighty Mouse.” Right away Johnson landed an inside
Demetrious Johnson (26-2-1) tied the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) record for most successful consecutive title defenses against Wilson Reis (22-7).
In the main event of UFC on FOX 24, Johnson defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) flyweight title against Reis. It was the 10th title defense for “Mighty Mouse.”
Right away Johnson landed an inside leg kick. Reis blocked a high kick after trying to capitalize on a slip. Reis caught a kick and went for a takedown, but Johnsons stood on his feet. “Mighty Mouse” was active and kept Reis on the defensive. Reis again went for a takedown, but couldn’t get it. It was a clear round for the champion.
In the second stanza, Johnson tied up Reis and landed two knees before the break. “Mighty Mouse” grabbed onto a leg and took the back briefly. Johnson continued to be quicker to the punch and avoided danger. A hard body kick landed for the champion. A knee to the body caught Reis as he tried going for a takedown and landed some ground-and-pound before the horn sounded.
The third frame saw Johnson stuff a takedown attempt early. The right eye of Reis was closing. A body kick followed by a right hand was there for Johnson. A right hand followed by a takedown was there for Johnson. “Mighty Mouse” moved to side control. He landed some elbows to the head and rained down strikes in full mount. He quickly moved for an armbar and got the submission to tie the record.
Final Result: Demetrious Johnson def. Wilson Reis via Submission (Armbar) – R3, 4:49
Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson was a man on a record-setting mission Saturday night in the main event at UFC on Fox 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, against latest flyweight title contender Wilson Reis.