2018 might just be the year of the super fight, as several are now on the UFC president Dana White’s agenda.
The UFC boss is pushing for three champion vs. champion fights in this new year in the form of Cyborg vs. Nunes, D.C. vs. Miocic and Johnson vs. Dillashaw.
All fighters outside of Cormier are presently on board with the concept, however none have signed bout agreements to make these deals official.
In a new interview with ESPN, the UFC flyweight champion in Demetrious Johnson laid out what he wants in order to make this fight a go.
“That’s what the UFC wants. It’s the superfight everyone wants. I think TJ and I are both on board. We just want to make sure it’s on a stacked card. We want to make sure we can benefit from a good pay-per-view buy. I think I deserve it, and I think he deserves it.”
“I’d rather have somebody else [be the] main event, who is going to bring in way more PPVs. In my opinion, that’s held up the fight on my end.
“I’ve seen guys jump on [stacked] PPV cards and make $1.5 million, fighting an inferior opponent than who I’m about to fight. Me and TJ could fight on a smaller card and pull 275,000 buys, get an extra check for $75,000. My management told me, ‘You know what, we’ll hold out for a big event.’
“A lot of media and fans think that’s a way of turning down fights or ducking someone, but that’s a way of being a smart businessman and getting the most money you can get. … I’ll wait for that opportunity, because in that one card, I’ll basically make more money than three fights — a year and a half of my life — [combined].”
“If we can get three title fights — a champions vs. champions edition — that should do well. If they did Georges St-Pierre vs. Tyron Woodley, Amanda Nunes vs. Cyborg [Cris Justino] and me vs. TJ, they can send me the contract. They can negotiate that contract now.”
“I’m straightforward. If UFC comes back and says, ‘You know what, Demetrious, we’re not going to give you that,’ I’ll say, ‘Perfect, send me the No. 1 contender in the flyweight division and TJ can stay up and fight whoever he wants.’ That’s how I am when it comes to this.
“I’m not going to sit here and f—ing argue. ‘This is what I want. If you’re not going to give it to me, that’s fine. I’ll just keep fighting guys in my division. You want to strip me? Fine, perfect. Strip me. I’ll work my way back up the ladder.’
“I’ve beat everyone in my division. Now I’m waiting for my opportunity to be on the kind of card that makes that kind of money. And I’m not trying to piggyback off anyone else. I feel I bring a lot to the table — 11 title defenses. I should get that opportunity. If people disagree, that’s their problem. That’s what I feel I am worth.”
