Demetrious Johnson responds to Cody Garbrandt’s challenge

UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson is rapidly approaching Anderson Silva’s UFC record for most title defenses in UFC history. Johnson is currently set to fight Wilson Reis in a highly anticipated showdown this weekend, where he will move one step closer to breaking Silva’s record.

With a win, Johnson will tie Silva’s record, however the flyweight champion has long stated that his goal is to break Silva’s record. UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt revealed in a recent interview that if Johnson emerged successful against Reis, he would drop to flyweight to force Johnson to earn the record.

“Demetrious has a fight with Wilson Reis in the not-too-distant future that’s coming up,” Garbrandt said in a recent interview. “He’ll tie Anderson Silva’s record, then his next fight would be the all-time record. He’s going for the huge record. Make him earn it (by fighting me).”

Johnson has since fired back at Garbrandt, in an interview with MMAJunkie, saying:

“That’s not the first time somebody has said something like that. Lots of people say that they can make the weight class. Hell, I can make 115 pounds if they want to throw the division out there. Would I be able to perform at my ability? Probably not. But that’s fine.

“If he wants to come down and the UFC wants to give him an immediate title shot, because that’s what they do nowadays – give immediate title shots – then that’s fine. Or if I go up and challenge him for his belt if the negotiations go well, then yeah, it could happen. It’s a fight.”

“I’ve never, ever turned anybody down from coming to my weight class and trying to get my belt. I’ve never done it and it’s not going to start now and it’s never going to happen. If Jose Aldo says, ‘I can make 125 pounds, Demetrious Johnson; I’m coming down to fight you,’ I’m like, ‘Sweet. Perfect. Let’s get down to that weight class and let’s make it happen.’ Like I said, a lot of people have said it before, and I’m still here.”

Looks like we may have a champion vs. champion showdown in our future!

on 4/11/2017.