It seems as if Demetrious Johnson — not Dana White — has gotten his wish.
The UFC flyweight champion and a man regarded as one of the best fighters in the world has been making waves recently, after he refused a fight with T.J. Dillashaw in order to keep the division running by the rankings. UFC president Dana White and he then embarked on a public feud, as White put pressure on Johnson to accept, while Johnson published statements alleging the UFC had threatened him about the divisions future.
Well, White may be willing to back down over the issue, but that doesn’t mean he’s willing to forget some of the things that’s been said.
“I’m not thrilled with Demetrious Johnson,” White said, speaking with MMAJunkie. “You’re the pound-for-pound best in the world, T.J. Dillashaw challenges you – one of the best in the world, former world champion – and you flat out deny the fight, flat out say, ‘I won’t do it. I want Ray Borg.’
“Who wouldn’t want to see Demetrious Johnson vs. T.J. Dillashaw? Dillashaw calling me every day: ‘I’m cutting weight. I’m cutting weight. I’m dieting. I’m training. I’m cutting weight. Do I got the fight? Do I got the fight?’ Ask T.J. Dillashaw next time you see him or you interview him. Calling me every day, chomping at the bit for the fight. You expect the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world to go, ‘Let’s do it.’”
One of Johnson’s complaints towards the UFC is how he feels the promotion has failed to, well, promote him. Unsurprisingly, Dana White refutes those comments.
“I built an ‘Ultimate Fighter’ around you to try and build you,” White said. “He said he hasn’t been promoted. Who has defended that weight division more than me? I mean, I used to stand up in front of (the media) at the press conference going, ‘This kid is amazing. He’s unbelievable. He’s this. He’s that,’ which he is. I’m not saying he’s not. But we’re in a spot now where you had the opportunity to really get out there. T.J. Dillashaw called you out. He’s one of the best in the world, and he’s a former world champion. Many people thought he won the fight against [Dominick] Cruz. And you flat out say, ‘I don’t want to fight this guy. I want this guy, I want to fight the No. 5 or No. 6 guy instead.”
Well, the number five or six guy it is.
“You want Ray Borg, we’ll give you Ray Borg,” White said. “I’m sure the fans will be clamoring, and ticket sales will be through the roof and pay-per-views will be off the charts.”
