Fight-Pick: Demetrious Johnson V Henry Cejudo 2

Fight-Pick: Demetrious Johnson V Henry Cejudo 2

By Andy Hickey

Known to many as the greatest of all time, Demetrious Johnson puts his UFC Flyweight title on the line for a record 12th consecutive time this coming Saturday at UFC 227. He takes on #1 ranked Henry Cejudo in a rematch from UFC 197. The only Flyweight champion in UFC history, ‘Might Mouse’ is the a modern-day Georges St.Pierre/Anderson Silva. Taking on all comers and beating them in a style that makes you question can he ever be defeated. The Suplex-Armbar of Ray Borg in his most recent outing may go down as the greatest submission in the history of the sport. Put this with the KO of Joseph Benavidez, the submission of Black belt Wilson Reis and the last second sub of Kyoji Horiguchi and you can see why the man is so respected. Quite simply he is MMA royalty to the fans of the sport. His marketability has often been question by Dana White but is legacy as an all time great will never be in doubt.

2008 Olympic champion Cejudo looks to erase the memory of a crushing 169 second defeat in which his much hyped grappling was surprisingly ineffective. Cejudo took a barrage of knees to the sternum and chin before a crushing body shot ended the night.It was both a clinical display of clinch work from the champion as it was a poor showing for one of the most heralded prospects at the time.

Cejudo has recently admitted his title shot may have come to soon in his career. It comes with the territory of a division that does not produce marketable stars and receives little backing from the UFC. A 3-0 start to life over in the organisation over respected combatants Dustin Kimura, Chris Cariosa and Chico Kamus was enough to secure a title eliminator against top 10 stalwart Jussier Formiga. A bout in which he marginally got the better via a split decision.

This would likely not have been enough in any other division but given the lack of depth at 125 they UFC were left with no real option. The quick propulsion to the elite of the division may have come to soon for Henry but the experience he has gained will be invaluable. A strong showing against Joseph Benavidez in defeat and quality victories over Wilson Reis and rising star Sergio Pettis have seen him again push himself in front of the line at 125 again. Now seasoned at the top of the division, This may well be his last opportunity to dethrone the King unless the title is abdicated.

The Gameplan

How do you beat a man who has no discernible weakness? The team at fight ready will have studied every bit of tape available on the champion but over the course of his reign there has been minimal glimpses of weakness in the champion’s game. Standing up, Cejudo won’t have the speed and power of a John Dodson and he doesn’t have the technical ability of Joseph Benavidez. The one time in recent memory that Johnson was in trouble was against Tim Elliot. This stemmed from DJ missing an armbar and Tim scrambling into top position and attacking with an effective guillotine. It was an out of character mistake from Johnson and one not likely to happen again.

Despite showing better striking in his previous outings, Cejudo has to go back to his base of wrestling. Exposed in the clinch the last time out, His entry into the grappling range will need to be far more disguised and better timed this time out. His only route to victory is to get DJ down, stall on him and avoid transitions or scrambles that will lead to him being swept or reversed. For DJ, His game plan hinges on the Cejudo camp. Gifted in all areas, He is known for taking his opponents best weapon and using it against them. He has the ability to dictate this fight wherever it goes.

Prediction

Despite all his grappling credentials, Cejudo will likely have no answer for the experience and class of the champion.One of the most underrated finishers in the game, Demetrious Johnson submits black belts, knocks out strikers and out grapples Olympians. The man is the closest we may ever get to the complete fighter. At this point in his career he looks unstoppable against the current roster of 125 pound fighters.

A dominant victory leads to a collision course with TJ Dillashaw and a contest that will likely be the defining moment in both fighters careers.

Demetrious Johnson via Unanimous Decision