7 Flyweight Fighters Demetrious Johnson should face before moving up to Bamtamweight.

DatSamboKid

DatSamboKid

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INB4MIDGETS

1. Henry Cejudo (10-0)

This is arguably the toughest match-up for Demetrious. Henry Cejudo is a well rounded motherf*er, a quick seach on google will tell you why. I'm really curious to see what approach both fighters will have in this fight. Both have A level striking and grappling, but I'd give MM the submission edge. If there is one fighter to dethrone the flyweight king, it's Henry Cejudo.

2. Joseph Benavidez (24-4)

Every champ has his rival, to MM, it was Benavidez. Benavidez is the definition of n.2. He beat almost all the top contenders in the flyweight division, only losing twice to the champ. On a 5 fight winning streak, with wins over top contenders Ali Bagautinov, John Moraga and Zack Makovsky, Benavidez is bound to have one last shot at that gold. It's one fight we need, to close the books.

3. Jussier Formiga (18-4)

Formiga faced Henry Cejudo at UFN 78 in Mexico, the winner of that bout was to earn the next crack at FLW gold. Cejudo won, but many forget it was via split decision, it was a close one, and prior to that fight, Jussier only lost to N.2 & 3, Joseph Benavidez and John Dodson. Grinder, good cardio, solid submission game, with wins over Makovsky, Cariaso and Jorgensen, he has all the tools to beat MM, only needs to put them into play. Fighters like Formiga will get there shot if Demetrious keeps on winning.

4. Zack Makovsky (19-7)

Another fighter who joins this list in Zack Makovsky. Fought to a unanimous decision against Benavidez, Dodson and Formiga, Makovsky f*king brings it. Olympic world championship gold medalist, former Bellator BW Champion, coached and trained by Firas Zahabi, everything on paper says this man will earn his shot sooner rather than later.

5. Justin Scoggins (11-2)

Every division has that one prospect. In the flyweight division, it's Justin Scoggins. At age 23, this kid is already looking very promising and keeps on improving every time he shows up. At 5'7, he is tall and rangy with ever improving striking and top level submission game. Justin needs more experience thought, but I wouldn't be surprised if he is the face of the flyweight division in a couple of years.

6. Louis Smolka (10-1)

Another promising prospect. Better known as the man to derail the Paddy Holohan hype train, at age 24, Smolka is looking better than some remember. 4-1 in the UFC, with his only lost coming to Chris Cariaso, Louis possesses all the tools to become a top contender. Don't sleep on this guy.

7. John Lineker (26-7)

If he ever get his shit togheter.


Honorable mentions:
.Ray Borg
.Dustin Ortiz
.Paddy Holohan
.Wilson Reis



Long story short, Demetrious can stay at FLW till he retires, the division will always generate new prospects. But the big checks for him are super fights at BW, and after these 6 fights, I highly recommend him to move up for his legacy.




 
If he beats cejudo I have no interest at all in the other fights. He already fought cruz so he could move up and fight him again. He needs the challenges tbh. His fights don't even warrant co main.
 
Joe B can get 3rd crack
Scoggins/Smolka/Formiga/Borg/Reis/Gucci 2 maybe one of them too
 
the only 2 i want to see him fight are not quite ready. scoggins and smolka. but smolka is a bit further from being that guy. scoggins is almost there. both have massive potential. but mm beats them all 90% of the time
 
DatSamboKid said:
6. Louis Smolka (10-1)

Another promising prospect. Better known as the man to derail the Paddy Holohan hype train, at age 24, Smolka is looking better than some remember. 4-1 in the UFC, with his only lost coming to Chris Cariaso, Louis possesses all the tools to become a top contender. Don't sleep on this guy.
Click to expand...

I think he is better known as the first UFC fighter to win via "Sweet Chin Music"

Louis%2BSmolka%2BFinishes%2BRichie%2BVaculik%2Bby%2BStepping%2BSidekick%2B-%2BUFC%2BFight%2BNight%2B55%2BUberlandia.gif
 
Not that interested in most of them sadly.

- Cejudo is already happening and after that I'm not too sure where to go.
-Joey B has put a run together but he's 0-2 against MM and got sparked out by him in the last fight.
- Formiga I'd be ok with but he needs to win 2-3 first after the Cejudo loss.
- Makovsky is 1-3 in his last 4. He's a decent fighter but he's a level below Joey B/Formiga/Dodson (who are all a level below MM).
- Scoggins I'd be fine with but he needs to win a couple of step up fights first, say prove himself against the likes of Makovsky (that 3rd tier of fighters at FLW) then if he passes that test, again against someone like Formiga and then a shot if he wins.
- Smolka the same as Scoggins, 2-3 fights away from a shot but solid potential, just needs a step up in competition and to keep winning.
- Lineker's days at 125 are done, can't see him returning from Bantamweight.

Borg and Dustin Ortiz are a way off after how their last fights went down and Paddy will never fight for the title. Wilson Reis is looking pretty good at 125 though and a step up now and a couple of wins I think he could be given a shot. Ben Nguyen could be another prospect but is a few tiers below MM at the moment and is in Scoggins/Smolka's category of needing a step up and to keep proving himself before any title talk.

Ideally the UFC goes on a bit of a spree in terms of signing up new flyweights. There's some solid fighters out there (as well as a few with a lot of potential). After the Cejudo fight there's not really anything else lined up for him right now, most current contenders are a couple of wins away from being able to be talked about being in contention for a shot. I'd be open to MM moving up for a superfight or two later in the year and signing a few more fighters now to try and drum up some new contenders for when MM returned to 125.

They should sign -

- Kairat Akhmetov
- Adriano Moraes
- Alexandre Pantoja
- Magomed Bibulatov
- Bruno Menezes
- Velimurad Alhasov
- Yusaku Nakamura
- Hiromasa Ogikubo

I'd sign them and try to give them a fight or two this year, let MM move up to 135 for a super fight or two and give chance for a few from your list and those ones I suggested signing to work their way into contention. Right now there's nobody after Cejudo who is currently in the UFC that you can point at and say "he deserves a title shot". The only one really is Benavidez but like I said, he's 0-2 against MM with such a convincing loss in their last bout so it's a fight that nobody but Benavidez is really clamouring for.
 
Dooze said:
Not that interested in most of them sadly.

- Cejudo is already happening and after that I'm not too sure where to go.
-Joey B has put a run together but he's 0-2 against MM and got sparked out by him in the last fight.
- Formiga I'd be ok with but he needs to win 2-3 first after the Cejudo loss.
- Makovsky is 1-3 in his last 4. He's a decent fighter but he's a level below Joey B/Formiga/Dodson (who are all a level below MM).
- Scoggins I'd be fine with but he needs to win a couple of step up fights first, say prove himself against the likes of Makovsky (that 3rd tier of fighters at FLW) then if he passes that test, again against someone like Formiga and then a shot if he wins.
- Smolka the same as Scoggins, 2-3 fights away from a shot but solid potential, just needs a step up in competition and to keep winning.
- Lineker's days at 125 are done, can't see him returning from Bantamweight.

Borg and Dustin Ortiz are a way off after how their last fights went down and Paddy will never fight for the title. Wilson Reis is looking pretty good at 125 though and a step up now and a couple of wins I think he could be given a shot. Ben Nguyen could be another prospect but is a few tiers below MM at the moment and is in Scoggins/Smolka's category of needing a step up and to keep proving himself before any title talk.

Ideally the UFC goes on a bit of a spree in terms of signing up new flyweights. There's some solid fighters out there (as well as a few with a lot of potential). After the Cejudo fight there's not really anything else lined up for him right now, most current contenders are a couple of wins away from being able to be talked about being in contention for a shot. I'd be open to MM moving up for a superfight or two later in the year and signing a few more fighters now to try and drum up some new contenders for when MM returned to 125.

They should sign -

- Kairat Akhmetov
- Adriano Moraes
- Alexandre Pantoja
- Magomed Bibulatov
- Bruno Menezes
- Velimurad Alhasov
- Yusaku Nakamura
- Hiromasa Ogikubo

I'd sign them and try to give them a fight or two this year, let MM move up to 135 for a super fight or two and give chance for a few from your list and those ones I suggested signing to work their way into contention. Right now there's nobody after Cejudo who is currently in the UFC that you can point at and say "he deserves a title shot". The only one really is Benavidez but like I said, he's 0-2 against MM with such a convincing loss in their last bout so it's a fight that nobody but Benavidez is really clamouring for.
Click to expand...

Legit names, Kairat Akhmetov is 23-0, UFC should definitely sign these guys
 
Why would Paddy be in your honorable mentions?
 
DatSamboKid said:
INB4MIDGETS

1. Henry Cejudo (10-0)

This is arguably the toughest match-up for Demetrious. Henry Cejudo is a well rounded motherf*er, a quick seach on google will tell you why. I'm really curious to see what approach both fighters will have in this fight. Both have A level striking and grappling, but I'd give MM the submission edge. If there is one fighter to dethrone the flyweight king, it's Henry Cejudo.

2. Joseph Benavidez (24-4)

Every champ has his rival, to MM, it was Benavidez. Benavidez is the definition of n.2. He beat almost all the top contenders in the flyweight division, only losing twice to the champ. On a 5 fight winning streak, with wins over top contenders Ali Bagautinov, John Moraga and Zack Makovsky, Benavidez is bound to have one last shot at that gold. It's one fight we need, to close the books.

3. Jussier Formiga (18-4)

Formiga faced Henry Cejudo at UFN 78 in Mexico, the winner of that bout was to earn the next crack at FLW gold. Cejudo won, but many forget it was via split decision, it was a close one, and prior to that fight, Jussier only lost to N.2 & 3, Joseph Benavidez and John Dodson. Grinder, good cardio, solid submission game, with wins over Makovsky, Cariaso and Jorgensen, he has all the tools to beat MM, only needs to put them into play. Fighters like Formiga will get there shot if Demetrious keeps on winning.

4. Zack Makovsky (19-7)

Another fighter who joins this list in Zack Makovsky. Fought to a unanimous decision against Benavidez, Dodson and Formiga, Makovsky f*king brings it. Olympic world championship gold medalist, former Bellator BW Champion, coached and trained by Firas Zahabi, everything on paper says this man will earn his shot sooner rather than later.

5. Justin Scoggins (11-2)

Every division has that one prospect. In the flyweight division, it's Justin Scoggins. At age 23, this kid is already looking very promising and keeps on improving every time he shows up. At 5'7, he is tall and rangy with ever improving striking and top level submission game. Justin needs more experience thought, but I wouldn't be surprised if he is the face of the flyweight division in a couple of years.

6. Louis Smolka (10-1)

Another promising prospect. Better known as the man to derail the Paddy Holohan hype train, at age 24, Smolka is looking better than some remember. 4-1 in the UFC, with his only lost coming to Chris Cariaso, Louis possesses all the tools to become a top contender. Don't sleep on this guy.

7. John Lineker (26-7)

If he ever get his shit togheter.


Honorable mentions:
.Ray Borg
.Dustin Ortiz
.Paddy Holohan
.Wilson Reis



Long story short, Demetrious can stay at FLW till he retires, the division will always generate new prospects. But the big checks for him are super fights at BW, and after these 6 fights, I highly recommend him to move up for his legacy.
Click to expand...


I stopped reading at "only losing to the champ twice"
 
Dooze said:
Not that interested in most of them sadly.

- Cejudo is already happening and after that I'm not too sure where to go.
-Joey B has put a run together but he's 0-2 against MM and got sparked out by him in the last fight.
- Formiga I'd be ok with but he needs to win 2-3 first after the Cejudo loss.
- Makovsky is 1-3 in his last 4. He's a decent fighter but he's a level below Joey B/Formiga/Dodson (who are all a level below MM).
- Scoggins I'd be fine with but he needs to win a couple of step up fights first, say prove himself against the likes of Makovsky (that 3rd tier of fighters at FLW) then if he passes that test, again against someone like Formiga and then a shot if he wins.
- Smolka the same as Scoggins, 2-3 fights away from a shot but solid potential, just needs a step up in competition and to keep winning.
- Lineker's days at 125 are done, can't see him returning from Bantamweight.

Borg and Dustin Ortiz are a way off after how their last fights went down and Paddy will never fight for the title. Wilson Reis is looking pretty good at 125 though and a step up now and a couple of wins I think he could be given a shot. Ben Nguyen could be another prospect but is a few tiers below MM at the moment and is in Scoggins/Smolka's category of needing a step up and to keep proving himself before any title talk.

Ideally the UFC goes on a bit of a spree in terms of signing up new flyweights. There's some solid fighters out there (as well as a few with a lot of potential). After the Cejudo fight there's not really anything else lined up for him right now, most current contenders are a couple of wins away from being able to be talked about being in contention for a shot. I'd be open to MM moving up for a superfight or two later in the year and signing a few more fighters now to try and drum up some new contenders for when MM returned to 125.

They should sign -

- Kairat Akhmetov
- Adriano Moraes
- Alexandre Pantoja
- Magomed Bibulatov
- Bruno Menezes
- Velimurad Alhasov
- Yusaku Nakamura
- Hiromasa Ogikubo

I'd sign them and try to give them a fight or two this year, let MM move up to 135 for a super fight or two and give chance for a few from your list and those ones I suggested signing to work their way into contention. Right now there's nobody after Cejudo who is currently in the UFC that you can point at and say "he deserves a title shot". The only one really is Benavidez but like I said, he's 0-2 against MM with such a convincing loss in their last bout so it's a fight that nobody but Benavidez is really clamouring for.
Click to expand...

You should add Yuki Motoya on that list
There is also Ben Nguyen in the prospect list (with Smolka and Ortiz) already signed by UFC
 
I'd like to see any or all of those fights (in time). And I think there's a good chance that quite a lot of those will happen over the next few years.

DJ said he wants to break Anderson's record, so that would be 4 more FLW defenses. I's possible some of these guys will eliminate each other while looking for a shot, but I think a lot of these fights will happen.
 
I'd like to see:

vs Cejudo (already happening)

vs Benavidez/Scoggins winner

vs Smolka/Formiga and Reis/Horiguchi-Seery winner
 
Scoggins and a Horiguchi rematch for sure, but only after these fighters have some time to really develop.

Joe B will have to go on a wildly impressive rampage to get another shot after going 0-2, even if those are his only losses.
 
Jer713 said:
Scoggins and a Horiguchi rematch for sure, but only after these fighters have some time to really develop.

Joe B will have to go on a wildly impressive rampage to get another shot after going 0-2, even if those are his only losses.
Click to expand...
He already is. 5 fight win streak over pretty good competition. He's the most deserving contender after Cejudo IMO.
 
Smolka is so overrated, how is young Pettis not on this list? At least he has a win over a ranked guy unlike Smolka.
 
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