Following surgery, UFC champ Demetrious Johnson eyes July showdown with T.J. Dillashaw

UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson is still recovering from his recent shoulder surgery, but from all indications, his next fight is going to be a champion vs. champion clash with T.J. Dillashaw.

A matchup between Johnson (27-2-1 MMA, 15-1-1 UFC and UFC bantamweight champ Dillashaw (15-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) has been brewing for the better part of a year. After some initial reluctance and complications, all parties appear on board for a fight that would see Dillashaw drop to 125 pounds to challenge Johnson, who is in the midst of a UFC-record streak of 11 consecutive title defenses.

Following his 2017 “Submission of the Year” against Ray Borg in his most recent bout, at UFC 216 in October, Johnson, No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA pound-for-pound rankings, said he was interested in making an April return. Surgery altered his schedule, though, and now “Mighty Mouse” is targeting July for his next fight, ideally on the UFC’s annual “International Fight Week” event in Las Vegas.

“Recovery is going good,” Johnson said during a recent MetroPCS Q&A. “I had rotator cuff (surgery), labrum and joint clean-out. After 11 title defenses and 12 championship fights, the old dog needs to get some rehab. I got it cleaned up. (With) six weeks recovery, we can get strong again, and hopefully T.J. Dillashaw can get this match done. Hopefully July, International Fight Week, on a big, big card.”

If the matchup takes place, Johnson will attempt to further add to his record as the most successful champion in UFC history. Dillashaw, however, will have the chance to make some history of his own. He can become the fifth two-division champion in UFC history, and along with Conor McGregor, the second to hold multiple belts simultaneously.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.