Sherdog’s Top 10: American Mixed Martial Artists
Brian KnappOct 19, 2016
Johnson on Sept. 22, 2012 captured the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title by edging Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152. Their battle was intense, but “Mighty Mouse” took the nod via split decision. No fight during his championship reign has been as close.
Granted, Johnson was dropped briefly in his bout with John Dodson at UFC on Fox 6, but he was clearly the better fighter and went on to a unanimous decision win. In the time that has elapsed since, the AMC Pankration ace has looked nearly invincible, stopping Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo with knees, earning a one-sided decision over Ali Bagautinov and submitting John Moraga, Chris Cariaso and Kyoji Horiguchi. If that was not enough, he faced Benavidez and Dodson in rematches, and neither was competitive. Johnson knocked out Benavidez in the first round and then ran circles around Dodson for an easy decision.
Johnson has been so dominant that the UFC has run out of viable contenders at 125 pounds. His next title defense will come against the winner of “The Ultimate Fighter 24,” perhaps against an opponent who has never before competed in the UFC.
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