Wilson Reis respects Demetrious Johnson but has plans for UFC flyweight title belt

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Wilson Reis respects the hell out of UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.

Reis believes Johnson is the unquestioned best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and is quick to praise “Mighty Mouse” beyond just his impressive work inside the octagon.

“Not only for things he does inside the cage, he’s a friendly guy,” Reis said today following his UFC on FOX 24 open workout. “How he presents himself is always good. You never hear anything bad about the guy. He deserves it for everything that he does.”

That being said, Reis (22-6 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is looking to stop history at UFC on FOX 24, which takes place Saturday at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. Johnson-Reis serves as the main event following prelims on FOX and UFC Fight Pass.

While Johnson (25-2-1 MMA, 13-1-1 UFC) aims to tie Anderson Silva’s UFC record for consecutive title defenses with his 10th, Reis has other ideas. At home, he’s got two belts – his Elite XC championship won in 2008 and WFE championship from 2011. He has plans for the UFC title belt to be on display right in the middle.

“It’s going to be right there nice and shiny,” Reis said.

The opportunity to fight Johnson has been a longtime coming. Reis was supposed to fight Johnson at UFC 201 last July until an injury knocked the champ out of the fight. Reis fought Hector Sandoval instead and won with a first-round rear-naked choke. Reis then had to wait out Season 24 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” which featured flyweight champs from other promotions vying for a shot.

Now that it’s finally happening, Reis is simply grateful to take on Johnson with a chance at becoming champion while preventing UFC history.

“This is an amazing time. Living in this moment is like, people tell me it’s not every day that somebody has this opportunity,” Reis said. “I’m just having fun. Fight week has been a blessing. Living the dream  the American dream.”

For more on UFC on FOX 24, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.