Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Who should get the next shot at UFC Flyweight Champ Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson?
Nov 26, 2014 - 8:30:56 PM ROUNDTABLE: Who should get the next shot at UFC Flyweight Champ Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson?

DISCUSS ALL THIS IN OUR NEW MMATORCH FORUM

...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!

Who should get the next UFC Flyweight Title shot, and why? Has Joseph Benavidez earned another shot yet? Should John Lineker get in there without another fight, or should the UFC book a certain matchup soon to determine that next contender? Essentially, how would you put things together at 125 lbs right now in the UFC?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

It doesn't matter. No. No, yes. I don't have a clue.

Or do you want a less succinct answer? Fine.

1.) It doesn't matter, because ain't nobody out there is going to lay a finger on Demetrious Johnson's belt until he's in his thirties. He's not getting paid enough money to get complacent, so he's going to continue to actually improve his already breathtaking skill set until his body goes into decline. And since he isn't a Nogueira, that might not be until his mid-to-late thirties.

2.) Benavidez has earned the next shot in as much as he's the best flyweight in the world who isn't named Demetrious Johnson. But two straight losses to the Champ, including a two-minute KO loss less than a year ago when he had home-court advantage in Sacramento, and he's at least a year away. His only responsibility is to keep beating guys who are never going to get title shots (Dustin Ortiz) or guys who already had their title opportunity and don't deserve another one (John Moraga, anyone?). Maybe he gets a shot after three or four more wins.

3 and 4.) John Lineker wasn't worthy of a title fight before Ian McCall got sick, so I don't see how someone else getting sick suddenly makes Lineker more worthy of a title shot now. Lineker still needs to beat Ian McCall, preferably at 125 and not 126. He gets that win, fine, give him a shot. Not like he's going to beat Mighty Mouse, though, so who really cares?

5.) I'm giving John Dodson the next tile shot, unless he isn't ready soon enough. If he can't go, the next shot goes to the winner of the McCall vs. Lineker fight. Again, though, no one holds a candle to Johnson now or in the next several fights.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I'm a Benavidez fan, so I'd certainly like to see him get another title shot. The guy most deserving of a title shot in the division is John Dodson, but he's out for a while more with an injury. To me, it depends on how quickly UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson can fight again. If he can fight again soon, go with Benavidez. If not, I guess you could have the winner of Lineker-Ian McCall as the No. 1 contender, but I don't like when champions aren't defending their belts ,so the UFC should try to get Johnson a fight as quickly as possible. I'm not saying they should book him for next week, but at least put together a title defense within the next 2-3 months.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Benavidez absolutely. Lineker rarely makes weight anyway, let him throw down with McCall to raise his awareness of weight cutting first, and let Joe B get another well earned shot at Johnson before anyone else does.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

Now that the UFC have rescheduled John Lineker vs. Ian McCall for UFC 183, I think it's safe to say the winner of this bout will get the chance to fight for flyweight title against D. Johnson. If I was John Linker, I would be prepared to weight in at 125. lbs to prove to the UFC he can be trusted to make championship weight, if he was to defeat Ian McCall.