On Saturday July 27, 2013 the UFC brings us another stacked
UFC on FOX card. In the main event UFC flyweight champion Demetrious “Mighty
Mouse” Johnson, puts his belt on the line against #1 contender John Moraga at
Seattle’s Key Arena.
Despite being a former bantamweight divisional contender and
the first UFC flyweight champion, Johnson has not received the recognition and
praise from fans that his fellow UFC champions have garnered. Even though the
title fight is the main event slot on a nationally televised event, a majority
of the focus has been on the two participants in the co-main event between top
welterweight contenders Rory MacDonald and Jake Ellenberger. Both welterweights
are maybe a fight or two away from a shot at the UFC welterweight strap and the
hype is well deserved. Both fighters are extremely well rounded fighters with
power, excellent wrestling, very effective striking and clinch games. Both have
power and the ability to finish their opponents. Making the fight even more intriguing
Ellenberger and MacDonald have engaged in a heated battle of words via social
media, thus, making the co-main event fight much easier to promote. So, why
hasn’t the flyweight title fight between Johnson and Moraga received as much
attention?
First of all, fans love to see fighters finish their opponents.
‘Mighty Mouse’ has amazing footwork, head movement and lightning fast
takedowns. Conversely, when his opponents try to take him down, he has the
athletic ability to jump right back to his feet like a bop bag springing back up.
Johnson has gone to the judges scorecards in each of his seven fights inside
the octagon, gojng 5-1-1 during that stretch. Johnson’s last finish was in the
now defunct WEC in November of 2010. Even with all of his athletic prowess and
technical superiority, Johnson is somehow perceived as “boring”. Some fans and
pundits cannot appreciate the subtleties of his game, preferring to focus on
his lack of finishing ability. This is an opinion I do not ascribe too. There
are other flyweight fighters in the UFc that have plenty of finishes on their
records. Moraga has 2 finishes in each of his 2 UFC appearances. In his first
fight, Moraga recorded a first round pummeling of Ulysses Gomez at UFC on FOX 4
and a third round submission of Chris Cariaso at UFC 155. Former bantamweight
and flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez has finishes in 2 out of his last 3
victories. The man who ‘Mighty Mouse’ beat in his first title defense, John
Dodson, has 2 finishes in his last 3 wins as well. So the argument that the
flyweights don’t have finishing abilities is a moot point.
Another facet of the failure of most fans to give the
flyweights their due is the size factor, (insert crass joke here). When we look
at athletes and their abilities, we tend to look at physical appearance. For
example, when we see a muscle bound Alistair Overeem or a tattooed monster like
Brock Lesnar, we know he is a fighter. We know that this is a man who you don’t
want to mess with. The flyweight’s body type is not as intimidating. At 5’ 3”
tall, Johnson is a lot less redoubtable in his appearance.
When Ellenberger and MacDonald step into the octagon
Saturday, we know that these two fighters genuinely dislike each other. Because
of their verbal sparring via social media, they have promoted themselves and
their fight to make this match an even more compelling encounter. Aside from a
few barbs from Moraga calling Demetrious boring with no threatening skills, there
has been little else said between them to hype the fight. Other than a coveted
UFC title, there does not seem to be anything personal to make this main event
more compelling. Johnson prefers to do his talking in the cage and let his
skills speak for themselves.
I submit for your consideration that we should not
pigeon-hole these lighter weight class fighters for a perceived lack of
excitement. The athletic ability, speed, fighting prowess and technical skills
are something to be marveled at. We hear stories all the time in sports where
athletes have been told their whole lives that they are “too small” to compete at
the highest levels of their respective sports. These criticisms because of a
lack of physical stature are untrue, unfounded, ridiculous and disrespectful. They
fight and train with determination and self confidence to overcome these
prejudices. They not only deserve our attention, they deserve and demand the
respect they literally fight for everyday in the gym. These are world class
athletes who have made it to the biggest stage in the world of MMA and all of
this under a veil of scrutiny and misconception. If you disagree, get into the
cage with any one of these guys. You will be taught some humility and respect.
Thank you and stay safe.
Randy CasjensTwitter-@SavageRandy
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