On September 22, 2012, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson became the inaugural UFC flyweight champion, edging out Joseph Benavidez in a close contest fought inside the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
One year, two months, and 22 days later, the AMC Pankration product defended his title for the third time, finishing Benavidez in spectacular fashion just 2:08 into the first round of their highly anticipated rematch. With that, Johnson not only established himself as the frontrunner for Fighter of the Year, but he cleared his schedule for the time being as well.
At the moment, the flyweight champion is without an immediate challenger, and he’s already turned aside the biggest names in the division. With John Dodson and Ian McCall already being dispatched – and Benavidez down 0-2 in their personal series – Johnson will need to wait and see how things play out within the weight class in the next couple months before honing in on a future opponent.
The most likely scenario – given recent results and current match-ups – is a bout with the winner of the rumoured UFC 169 showdown between John Lineker and Ali Bagautinov, as the Russian newcomer has posted a pair of impressive wins and Lineker has amassed a four-fight winning streak.
Whoever wins likely moves to the head of the list of challengers. Lineker has had trouble making weight, but has begun working with Mike Dolce and the group at American Top Team, which should help sort out his issues, while Bagautinov has posted back-to-back wins over the last four months to race up the rankings.
A potential dark horse contender – and perhaps the most well-known option – is new flyweight Brad Pickett, who makes his divisional debut against McCall in March. The Brit handed Johnson his first career loss back in his days as a bantamweight in the WEC, and if he can get through “Uncle Creepy” in impressive fashion, Pickett could move to the head of the list.
Here’s a look at what the future may hold for the rest of Saturday’s big winners.
Urijah Faber vs. Dominick Cruz/Renan Barao Winner
It’s inevitable given Faber’s tremendous run of success since losing to Barao at UFC 149 – four wins, three finishes – and his continued positioning as the most recognizable name south of the 155-pound weight class that “The California Kid” will get the first crack at whoever emerges from UFC 169 as the undisputed UFC bantamweight champion.
He’s faced both and lost to both in title bouts over the last few years, and that takes a bit of the shine off the potential pairings, but considering how dominant Faber has looked of late, it’s easy to see how the former WEC champ could make the requisite adjustments needed to reverse the results.
Chad Mendes vs. Cub Swanson
There is the distinct possibility that Mendes ends up facing Jose Aldo for a second time should the current champion retain his title when he squares off with Ricardo Lamas at UFC 169, but my guess is that the UFC just moves forward with the division and pairs Mendes with Swanson in a battle of contenders on five-fight winning streaks.
Swanson hasn’t fought since July, and remains the odd man out in the 145-pound ranks right now, which makes a second meeting with Mendes all the more likely. The Team Alpha Male member got the better of him in their initial encounter at WEC 50, but that was over three years ago, and both men have shown a great deal of improvement since then.
Even if Aldo retains on Super Bowl Saturday, pitting these two against each other in March or April could still position the winner as the next title challenger in a late summer contest.
Joe Lauzon vs. Donald Cerrone
You want a lights out co-main event for a future Wednesday night fight card? Stick these two perpetually exciting lightweights in the Octagon together, close the door, and enjoy the fireworks.
Lauzon looked dominant against Mac Danzig on Saturday, missing a couple submission attempts, but battering the former TUF winner from start to finish. Cerrone, meanwhile, earned an impressive submission win (and another bonus cheque) over the durable Evan Dunham at UFC 167, keeping him locked in position on the fringes of contention.
Neither are likely to become legitimate title threats, but why not get a really fun fight out of two of the most entertaining fighters on the roster when the you have the opportunity?
Ryan LaFlare vs. Rick Story
The unbeaten LaFlare has three wins in eight months and has earned a step up in competition. Story has been just outside the Top 10 in the welterweight division for some time, is coming off a good win of his own, and would be the right kind of test at this stage.
Edson Barboza vs. Bobby Green
Both won Saturday night, and while you’d love to have multiple up-and-coming potential contenders, lightweight is rarely lacking in talent, so why not see if Green is as keen to keep his hands low against the vicious, lightning quick striking Barboza brings to the table?
Zach Makovsky vs. John Dodson
He may only have a single win in the UFC, but Makovsky has a championship pedigree from his days in Bellator, collected a good win over a proven commodity in Scott Jorgensen, and this fight could produce a future title challenger – or at least one half of a No. 1 contender bout.
Abel Trujillo vs. Tony Ferguson
Trujillo went “beast mode” on Roger Bowling on Saturday night and needs a step up in competition, while Ferguson has an electric return to the cage back in October. They’re two lightweights that have upside, and this is the right time to have them face either other and figure out which one moves forward.
Alptekin Ozkilic vs. Chris Cariaso
Ozkilic looked very good in his debut win over Darren Uyenoyama Saturday in Sacramento, and an opportunity to climb the divisional ladder quickly seems fitting. Cariaso is the veteran gatekeeper in the weight class, making him the perfect litmus test for the newcomer.