Flyweight Champ Demetrious Johnson Inks New 8-Fight UFC Deal

Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has signed a new, eight-fight deal with the UFC. The 29-year-old broke the news on Monday during an appearance on The MMA Hour.

“I signed a new eight-fight deal. I’m very excited to announce that,” he said.

Johnson (24-2-1) is coming off a first-round finish of Henry Cejudo at UFC 197. “Mighty Mouse” had fights remaining on his previous contract, but negotiated a new deal.

“I had three (fights left) going into the fight with Henry Cejudo. So I had two left,” he explained.

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Many fighters have recently tested their worth with free agency, but Johnson said there was no need for him to go that route.

“When (fighters) negotiate with the UFC and they get what they like, there’s no reason to test the market,” he said. “Even before I was champion, they treated me with courtesy and respect, and that goes a long way.”

The UFC recently announced that The Ultimate Fighter 24 would be geared at finding a contender to face Johnson. 16 flyweight champions from various organizations will vie for a UFC title shot on the reality show and face Johnson during the season’s finale in December.

Johnson, who has cleared out the 125-pound division, said he likes the idea.

“You have all of these other champions around the world. They get to go out there and find every big fish in the sea. The winner of that will get to fight me,” he said.

Johnson has defended his title eight times, a record in the flyweight division, and has his sights set on former middleweight champion Anderson Silva‘s record of 10 consecutive title defenses.

“My goal is to beat Anderson Silva’s record. I want to be the household name for the flyweight division.”

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