Fight Club: Patience a virtue for ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson

Daniel Eldridge 01:45 27/04/2015
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  • In command: Mighty Mouse.

    If we didn’t know any better it might have seemed like Demetrious Johnson was messing with us.

    Johnson submitted challenger Kyoji Horiguchi via armbar with one second remaining in his five round flyweight title fight, but the manner in which the contest played out made it seem like ‘Mighty Mouse’ was toying with Horiguchi.

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    Johnson completed 14 takedowns in 22 attempts and landed 149 total strikes. By comparison, Horiguchi landed 61. If that sounds like a blowout, well, that’s because it was.

    “I had 25 minutes and took my time and I got it done,” Johnson said. “It’s difficult, he’s very fast, I didn’t want to be stupid and get knocked out.”

    The victory was Johnson’s eighth in a row – tying him with Chris Weidman for the second-longest streak in the UFC – and he has a handful of potential challenges left before cleaning out the division.

    The last man to put up a challenge was John Dodson in January 2013, who managed to knock Johnson down twice in the second round. Provided he wins his May 23 fight against Zach Makovsky, that ought to be the next match- up for Johnson.

    Beyond that, the only remaining sellable fight for the UFC is former Olympic gold medalist in Freestyle wrestling, Henry Cejudo.

    Cejudo has looked good since entering Mixed Martial Arts, but still needs a few more fights to develop his MMA skills.

    Of continuing issue for Johnson is his lack of ‘star power’ with some fans seen leaving the fight in the fourth round. A technical and humble fighter, his understated style has seen many fans turn off.

    UFC president Dana White, however, said: “It’s kind of sad he has this thing hanging over his head, he’s not this, he’s not that. 

    “He does everything the exact way he’s supposed to. He comes in with a game plan and follows it to the letter. He’s just one of these guys that has to put his head down, keep doing his thing and you have to respect him.”

    Elsewhere on the card, a couple of big name veterans in Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Michael Bisping were able to book wins. Jackson was matched up against noted tough guy Fabio Maldonado in a fight that failed to live up to its billing. Rampage used a combination of strikes using leg kicks, knees, and punches to attack at various levels.

    As the fight wore on, it was visible that both men were out of gas, however Maldonado was unable to take advantage. In the end, Jackson was able to remain in his comfort zone to take an unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).

    In the fight of the night, Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping was able to take two rounds against C.B. Dolloway despite being dropped in the first round. Dolloway landed a left hook which placed the Englishman in real danger.

    Bisping was able to weather the adversity and in the second and third rounds, Bisping relied on his fitness and conditioning to outpoint Dolloway.

    He managed to put together some combinations and in the third round assumed top position and unleashed some ground and pound on Dolloway. It was enough to deliver an unanimous decision with 29-28 scores across the board.

    The first fight of the main card showcased Thomas Almeida, who proved he is a real prospect in the bantamweight division.

    Almeida has started his career with 18 consecutive victories and his fight against Yves Jabouin was a demolition. He landed significant strike after significant strike to score the first round knockout. At 23, Almeida is improving rapidly as he approaches his physical peak. 

    Matches to be made

    Jackson v Rua/Nogueira

    Approaching his 37th birthday, Rampage Jackson figures to be out of the title picture. However, as a veteran of the sport there still remains a variety of interesting legacy fights in play for the former light heavyweight champion.

    Both Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira fit the bill as big name fighters entering the twilight of their careers. Either match-up would prove interesting as all three men tend to keep the fight standing.

    Bisping v Leites

    In order to climb up the middleweight ladder and get the title shot he craves, Bisping needs to fight top-10 guys who are on their way up. Enter Thales Leites. Leites has compiled five consecutive wins since returning to the UFC.

    Six years ago, Leites challenged Anderson Silva for the middleweight title, but after losing and following up with another loss to journeyman Alessio Sakara, he was released from the UFC and presumed to be on the downside of his career.

    His latest resurgence, however, has him ranked 9th in the current UFC middleweight rankings. The winner of this fight could then move into title consideration with another win or two.

    Almeida v Eduardo

    When dealing with young prospects, it’s usually a good idea to raise their competition level over time, to allow them to develop their skills and challenge opponents who are close to their level of skill and ability.

    Johnny Eduardo is a veteran of the sport with over 36 professional fights to his name. As a significant underdog in his last fight against Eddie Wineland, he was able to spring a first-round knockout and move into the top 10 bantamweight rankings.

    Almeida needs a test, but not a test too steep and Johnny Eduardo fits the bill.

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