Demetrious Johnson’s first fight of 2018 is almost a done deal.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani reports that a rematch between the UFC flyweight champion and Henry Cejudo is in the works for UFC 227 on August 4th.
If you’re disappointed that it’s a rematch instead of someone else (not named T.J. Dillashaw), well Jussier Formiga’s name was brought up, but according to Helwani, “Cejudo was just the top choice after the Dillashaw fight didn’t materialize.”
Johnson (27-2-1) hasn’t fought since his incredible armbar win vs. Ray Borg at UFC 216, which gave him the all-time UFC record for consecutive title defenses (11), exceeding the great Anderson Silva. His win vs. Cejudo occurred at UFC 197 in April 2016, when he hurt Cejudo with knees and punches on his way to a first-round TKO.
Cejudo (12-2) is on a two-fight winning streak, looking sensational in his second-round TKO of Wilson Reis, as well as shutting down Sergio Pettis at UFC 218. Following the loss to Johnson, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling suffered a controversial split decision defeat to Joseph Benavidez.
While there was demand to see Johnson take on Dillashaw in a superfight, Dana White shut that down, also noting that Johnson was “hurt” and recovering from surgery. He also was unimpressed with Demetrious’ demand for a $2 million payday for superfights.
UFC 227 is headlined by a bantamweight championship rematch between T.J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt.