TJ Dillashaw Considering Drop to Flyweight for Title Fight with Demetrious Johnson

In January of this year, TJ Dillashaw surrendered the UFC bantamweight title to returning champion Dominick Cruz in a competitive, five-round battle. Having rebounded from this title loss with a nice, decision win over Rafael Assuncao at UFC 200, Dillashaw’s focus is now locked on a rematch with Cruz, and the chance to reclaim the title that was once his. But that doesn’t mean the former champion isn’t looking further into the future.

On the most recent episode of The Fighter and the Kid podcast (via MMA Latest), Dillashaw told hosts Brendan Schaub and Bryan Callen that, once he’s reclaimed the bantamweight title from Cruz, he’s got his eyes on a flyweight title fight with pound-for-pound king Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.

“I wanna fight Demetrious Johnson,” Dillashaw said on the show. ” I’m a huge fan of the guy, great dude, he’s awesome. I think he’s pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world. I want to get my belt back and I want to fight Demetrious Johnson. I want to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The whole point of me doing this is to be the best, you know. To do so I need my belt back, that’s first and foremost.”

Dillashaw went on to explain that, while Johnson is currently on the prowl for “money fights” at bantamweight, he’d prefer to drop down to flyweight to take on the pound-for-pound great. He also explained that he’s not especially concerned about making the flyweight division’s 125-pound cap.

“I can actually drop to 125,” Dillashaw assured. “I don’t worry about cutting weight [to 135] until 5 days before the fight. I’m only 150 lbs through fight camp. I can make 125. I want my belt back, then I’ll fight Demetrious. I’d rather fight him at 125.”

Dillashaw then explained that the reason he’s so keen on the fight’s being contested at flyweight is that that would allow him to become a two-division champion. Thus far, only Randy Couture and our own BJ Penn have held UFC titles in two weight classes. No fighter has held titles in two weight classes simultaneously – though the lofty goals of Dillashaw and featherweight champion Conor McGregor could soon change that fact.

Though Dillashaw’s number-one-priority to remains reclaiming the bantamweight crown, he’s got his eyes on a second belt once he’s done that. And with Demetrious Johnson looking for lucrative showdowns, Dillashaw’s flyweight ambition couldn’t come at a better time.

Do you think TJ Dillashaw could defeat Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson? Sound off, PENN nation!