The ongoing saga between the UFC and flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson continues to be a rather strange one as the duo have been unable to come to an agreement regarding Johnson’s next fight.
Earlier this week, the flyweight champion released a rather lengthy statement in which he revealed that UFC President Dana White and UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby essentially forced him into taking a fight with Ray Borg, just to then backtrack and demand Johnson accept a fight with TJ Dillashaw.
Now, in an appearance on The MMA Hour, Johnson further explains his frustration with the UFC, saying:
“Look what Conor is doing now. Conor isn’t even in the sport of mixed martial arts, technically. He’s a champ and he’s not even ready to defend his belt. Where’s Ronda at? Exactly — nobody knows. Where’s my black ass at? I’m still out here trying to defend my title, I’m still trying to represent this company as the greatest combat sport on the planet Earth.”
In regards to the fact that the UFC’s unwillingness to put a guarantee in place for Dillashaw to make weight, simply stating that they would put Ray Borg on the card as a backup, Johnson questioned the UFC’s professionalism:
“What is this?” Johnson said. “Is this f*cking amateur hour? This is the shit you do at smokers and amateur shows. … This is supposed to be the pinnacle of mixed martial arts and this is what we’re negotiating?”
Throughout the course of his ongoing feud with the UFC, many have questioned what this will do to Johnson’s legacy, to which the champ says:
“When somebody says you’ll tarnish your legacy, I say, ‘My legacy is in the back of my car,’” Johnson said. “My two children that I’m putting time and effort into. When i’m done my mixed martial arts career, the only people who are gonna remember me and respect what I did and how I lived my life are my two children. That’s my legacy, ladies and gentleman.
“People are already sh*tting on Jose Aldo’s legacy after he got knocked out by Max Holloway.”
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 6/8/2017.