In 2017, the MMA sphere was abuzz with the possibility of Demetrious Johnson taking on TJ Dillashaw in a ‘Superfight’ for the ages! The world of mixed martial arts thrives on big moments. Few could be bigger than a clash between two titans of their respective divisions colliding to decide who reigns supreme. It had all the makings of a blockbuster, but the dream fizzled before it could take flight.

UFC CEO Dana White decided to pull the plug on the bout, at the time citing injuries and logistics as the reason behind it. But in a stunning revelation, Johnson recently peeled back the curtain on the negotiations. So, what happened behind the scenes, and why did the UFC and Dana White skip the much-hyped matchup?

Demetrious Johnson sheds more light on his issues with Dana White and the UFC over ‘Superfight’ request

On a recent episode of the ‘Mighty Cast’ with guest MMA Guru, Demetrious Johnson shared, “But if I was still in the UFC, and I was still the champion, I was on, you know, 15 consecutive title streak then, and it’s next number one contender, I would assume that I would fight because I did it 11 times in a row. Yes, they tried to make that TJ Dillashaw fight, right, we had a little stipulation in there, all I asked for was a million dollars. They act like it was a lot of money.”

For a fighter who had dominated the flyweight division as a champion, earning such a payday seemed like a fair ask. It wasn’t just about the paycheck, though. Demetrious Johnson also sought insurance in case Dillashaw missed weight. If Dillashaw couldn’t hit the 125-pound limit, Johnson proposed that their fight be contested for the bantamweight title at 135 pounds instead. To his frustration, the UFC refused, leaving Johnson feeling cornered.

What made the situation even more curious was the narrative that followed as ‘Mighty Mouse’ further stated, “So the fight never happened and I was too scared to fight TJ Dillashaw”, pointing out the flaws in the dialogue about him being afraid of Dillashaw.

But what’s interesting is the parallels that can be drawn to Jon Jones’ current situation and his cautious approach to potential fights with heavyweights like Tom Aspinall as Johnson stated, “But I think what Jon Jones could be doing is maybe setting something up, he said he would consider fighting Tom Aspinall if the number in a check is good, that way if he did lose to Tom Aspinall, it doesn’t really matter right?”

For fans, the Johnson-Dillashaw saga is a reminder of the complexities that exist behind making fights in the cage. The UFC and Dana White, while promoting spectacle, operate as a business. These competing interests often collide, leaving fans wondering what might have been. And for Demetrious Johnson, he also believes that his exit from the promotion in 2018 was probably the best move for his career!

‘Mighty Mouse’ “gutted” over the financial aspects of his time with the UFC  

In the fast-moving world of MMA, trades are as rare as unicorn sightings. Yet in 2018, the sport saw Demetrious Johnson making his way to ONE Championship, while Ben Askren made his way to the UFC. In a recent conversation with MMA Fighting, the former UFC flyweight king shared that the move wasn’t just a shift in organizations, but into a new life and better compensation.

‘Mighty Mouse’ confessed, “That time frame from 2011 all the way to 2017, I had 17 fights. I think 12 of them were world championship fights and five of them weren’t. So I did all the math, I did all that stuff and I was like what the f—? That’s all I made? I was in bed last night just doing the math. I was like god—-, I’m f— gutted. I was just gutted.””

For someone hailed as the pound-for-pound best fighter at one point, the discrepancy between his pay and the UFC’s profits was staggering. Comparing his earnings to those of athletes in leagues like the NBA or MLB only deepened his frustration. Johnson stated, “If I would have done NBA, f—- baseball, it would have been f—- pennies on the dollar, what I made in the UFC.”

While his time in the UFC cemented his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in history, Johnson’s move to ONE Championship provided opportunities he hadn’t experienced before. The Dillashaw saga reflected the frustrations of a champion seeking fairness, while his eventual move to ONE Championship highlights his determination to prioritize both legacy and livelihood. Do you think Demetrious Johnson deserved to have his terms met for the TJ Dillashaw fight? Why or Why not? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!