Former UFC bantamweight champion Demetrious Johnson has listed out three names in the current UFC roaster that can potentially break his title defense record
Between 2012 to 2017, the flyweight division of the UFC was reigned by Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson, who defended his throne a whopping 11 times. Once the best P4P fighter in the world, he holds the record for most title defenses inside the UFC across any weight class.
Johnson eclipsed the 10 title defense set by the legendary Anderson Silva, and has since moved to the One Championship where he competes now.
‘Mighty Mouse’ appeared on the recent episode of ‘The MMA Hour’ with Ariel Helwani, and spoke about a few fighters who in his opinion can break the record he set.
“I think the only people who are close to beating that are: Valentina Shevchenko — she continues to impress me every time she steps into the octagon — Kamaru Usman, [and] Israel Adesanya,”
Considering the current landscape of MMA and taking into consideration the title defenses of these fighters so far, it looks like Valentina Schevchenko has the best chance at breaking this record. She is currently at 6 title defenses and will most likely face Taila Santos in a quest for her seventh defense.
It was announced during UFC 272 that former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will be inducted into the modern wing of the Hall of Fame this summer. While many fans were delighted by the news, some have put out names, including the likes of Demetrious Johnson, who should’ve gotten the nod first.
Demetrious Johnson’s sensational run in the flyweight division was unprecedented, with 11 title defenses. He still holds the record for most title defenses inside the octagon.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani about the likelihood of him getting inducted into the Hall of Fame, Mighty Mouse said, “If it happens it happens, if it doesn’t it doesn’t. I mean, I think what I’ve done in the UFC, 11 consecutive title defences, I think the only people who are close to doing that is Valentina Shevchenko, she continues to impress me every time she steps into the octagon.”
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