UFC
Demetrious Johnson's coach Matt Hume says Johnson to secure flyweight legacy, then wants rematch with Dominick Cruz
Sep 29, 2014 - 8:25:13 PM Demetrious Johnson's coach Matt Hume says Johnson to secure flyweight legacy, then wants rematch with Dominick Cruz

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Following the latest defense of his UFC Flyweight Championship, Demetrious Johnson's head trainer Matt Hume believes he's steady on his way to securing his legacy as one of the best fighters in the history of the sport.

In an interview with ESPN.com, Hume responded to anyone who might not be on the "Mighty Mouse" bandwagon yet, and said that the Champ isn't done making his way through the 125 lb. field.

"Any criticism of Demetrious is not valid," said Hume. "He finished John Moraga with an armbar from his back. Moraga is a collegiate wrestler with a great ground game. Then he fights Joseph Benavidez, a knockout artist, and DJ goes and knocks him out. Then he out-conditions Ali Bagautinov, a guy who was on PEDs for the fight. He wins every round. So, I just don't see any criticisms being valid."

"I always have a game plan and goals in the back of my mind. When he got in the UFC, the goal was to make him the best fighter in the history of mixed martial arts. It would have sounded super arrogant to say that back then, but now it doesn't. We want to do some more damage at flyweight and secure that legacy."

Once he's done that, the plan is a return to the bantamweight division, and to get one back from Dominick Cruz. Johnson's last loss in the sport was also Cruz's last fight prior to UFC 178 on Saturday, and now that Cruz is on his way back to title fights in the UFC, Hume and Johnson want that loss back.

"We've got our eyes on Dominick Cruz as he makes his comeback," Hume said. "That's a fight [Johnson] lost and it would be great to see him again. After D.J. cements what we want at flyweight, though, we will definitely go for bantamweight and take on whoever is there. Of course, those kinds of things are in the back of our minds. Just like him being where he is now was on the backs of our minds years ago."

Penick's Analysis: Johnson has gotten better and better in the 125 lb. Division, to the point he seems like a completely different fighter than the one who made his way to that title in the first place. To that end, he's a hell of a lot better than he was when he fought Cruz three years ago. If he continues cleaning out his division, and if Cruz recaptures the Bantamweight Title, I can see the UFC considering that rematch. There is still quite a long road to get there, but it's certainly a realistic possibility.