Johnson, despite out-striking his opponent 121-80 (including a 81-51 advantage in significant strikes), lost in a split decision to Henry Cejudo at UFC 227 in Los Angeles. "And losing to Demetrious Johnson the first time, in a devastating fashion, not only motivated me but put a chip on a shoulder. "I hate second place with a passion," Cejudo said. There was champion vs. champion superfight pitting Henry Cejudo against T.J. Dillashaw in which Cejudo defended the flyweight belt, a relinquishing of the title by Cejudo, and most controversially, an alarming number of fighter cuts from the company, which left the division’s existence in question.In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Johnson revealed talk of eliminating the flyweight division was already underway before he left to compete for ONE.“Yeah, of course it has, I wasn’t outspoken about it, but it is what it is,” Johnson said. Cejudo Cejudo def. And for people to think that there’s only one that’s going to make let you have a great living or whatever, you’re living in a box.”Many think what convinced the UFC to retain the 125-pound weight class was Cejudo’s self-admitted cringe persona, which is polarizing in MMA. I can relate to half of the people in the world, which is a hard-working man.“So I’m happy that Henry Cejudo was able to do that and be able to be very successful defending the belt and going up and becoming the bantamweight champion as well,” Johnson continued. monitoring_string = "5eb5a0f65cbe346d74f978e14db1b00d" “So, yeah, I mean, I’m happy he was able to do it.”Despite being glad about the continuation of the flyweight division, “Mighty Mouse” never worried for the fighters who might have potentially lost their jobs, as he believes there’s plenty of options for fighters outside the UFC – more than people realize.“Everyone thinks that’s the only home in the world,” Johnson said. “So, yeah, I mean, I’m happy he was able to do it.”Despite being glad about the continuation of the flyweight division, “Mighty Mouse” never worried for the fighters who might have potentially lost their jobs, as he believes there’s plenty of options for fighters outside the UFC – more than people realize.“Everyone thinks that’s the only home in the world,” Johnson said. Mallory Martin went nuts after her remarkable comeback. Johnson bounced back to his feet after the majority of them, but Cejudo had success holding him down in the fourth.According to Fightmetric, Johnson outlanded Cejudo in total strikes 110-71. Johnson didn’t mind Cejudo’s antics, and said he finds it entertaining.“It was more entertaining when people came and told me, ‘What the (expletive) is this dude doing? Just talk about him, right?’“And so I got more kick out of that, where people I’d be working out or just hanging out, and people would come over and be like, ‘What the (expletive) is this dude doing?’ and I’d go, ‘What are you talking about,’ and they’ll tell me what he did.”Johnson and Cejudo have split a pair of fights. I’m a dude who likes to take care of his wife and kids. Henry Cejudo .

“I’m like, ‘Guys, don’t worry about it. Did Michael Chandler sign his UFC deal last night? You look at Sergio Pettis, he went on to Bellator, he’s fighting at 135. “I understand the company is about making money. Johnson is happy to see Cejudo draw the attention needed to keep the division afloat, despite not coinciding with his style of going about things in his career.“I wasn’t going to change,” Johnson said.

$50K ChecksNeil Magny: ‘It’s Only a Matter of Time Until I’m a World Champion’Decision Isn’t Final, But Ricardo Lamas Mulls Retirement After UFC...UFC Fight Night 175 Prelims: Undefeated Impa Kasanganay Outclasses...The Walkmen: All UFC Fight Night 175 Walkout Tracks So from the bottom of my heart, thank you to these fans in California for their support. Those fights I’ve lost. ‘Triple C’ is doing what he wants to do,’ and then I go, ‘He’s doing exactly what he wants you to do. Not long after, a five-round contest between top contenders Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo was scheduled for the vacant belt.It seems the UFC flyweight division is safe for now, as fighters are getting signed again to compete at the weight, fights are being scheduled, and there’s a championship fight in place.